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Judge of Admiralty Jko, 




THE 

JOURNAL AND LETTERS 



OF 



J 

SAMUEL OURWEN, 

AN AMERICAN IN ENGLAND, 



TROM 1775 TO 1783; 



WITH AN 



APPENDIX OF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



BY 

GEORGE ATKINSON WARD, 

FELLOW OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETIES 
HONORARY MASTER OF ARTS AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF HARVARD 

AND NEW YORK. 



FOURTH EDITION. 



'■>/ 






BOSTON: 
LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY. 
1864. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by 
Little, Brown and Company, 
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 



"^y 1 (H^ 



I'UIMKU BY H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY. 



To 
JOSIAH QUINCY, LL. D., 

EX-PEESIDENT OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY, ETC., ETC. 

THE PATRIOT, STATESMAN, SAGE, 

WHOSE LONG AND PEERLESS LIFE WAS A CONTINUAL BLESSING TO HIS 

COUNTRY AND MANKIND, 

a:i)is toork 

WAS BY PERMISSION ORIGINALLY DEDICATED, 

AND IS NOW 

GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED TO HIS MEMORY. 
Salem, Mass., July 4, 1864. 



vi PREFACE. 

and the ardent affection he bore towards his native 
land, even when constrained by a sense of duty to turn 
his back upon it. The modest estimate of the Journal 
and Letters expressed by their author, in the above 
passage, was not regarded as forbidding their publica- 
tion. The clearness and purity, the classical accuracy 
and simplicity of their style place them beyond the need 
of elaborate finish or a more methodical arrangement. 
Their merit in these respects has been everyw^here ac- 
knowledged. 

Another inducement for the publication was fur- 
nished by the incidental light thrown upon the char- 
acter of his brethern in exile, all of whom have passed 
away, but whose numerous descendants feel a deep 
sense of the injustice to which most of them, in a sea- 
son of great popular excitement, were vmfortunate- 
ly subjected, who, under less adverse circumstances, 
had filled with honor civil posts of high trust, and led 
to victory our arms in the provincial wars. As the 
just fame of such as have distinguished themselves 
in important public concerns has ever been esteemed 
among the most valued treasures of civilized nations, 
that of these Loyalists, banished for having taken the 
losing side in a struggle the nature of which was 
thought to require all to be treated as friends or foes, 
seemed to call for a proper vindication at the hands 
of posterity, while the contrast of their later with their 
earlier fortunes presents strong claims to the sympathy 
of mankind. 

Theirs was the losing side. '' Victrix causa Diis placuit 
sed vida Catoni;'' and the feelings of admiration inspired 
of old by the contemplation of the generous virtue of 
the high-souled Roman, must ever meet the sympathy 
of truly elevated and enlightened minds. 



PREFACE. vii 

At the time of the issue of our first edition, the 
success of publications then recent in the department 
of historical writing induced the belief that the period 
had arrived when a sealed book might be opened, and 
a dispassionate examination had of the circumstances 
connected with that portion of our history in which the 
character of this proscribed class of our countrymen is 
involved. This work was offered with the hope of re- 
moving to some extent, if not fully, whatever obloquy 
had been unjustly cast upon their names, and to show 
that they were, in many instances, not the less actuated 
by lofty principle than those who embraced the popular 
opinions of the day, and adopted measures which re- 
sulted in such transcendent success. 

The former editions of this work having been for 
some time exhausted, the editor feels it to be his duty 
to meet the demands still made for it by a rejDrint. He 
gratefully and respectfully submits it again to the 
public favor, in a form which will show that he appre- 
ciates the estimate that has been put upon its value, 
and the friendly suggestions with which the previous 
editions have been received. He flatters himself with 
a belief that he has rendered a service in opening an in- 
teresting and important department of historical litera- 
ture, and that the journals which have noticed his work, 
and subsequent writers who have availed themselves 
of, or been aided by, his materials, have also done much 
to inform and enlighten the public in reference to the 
actors in the period and crisis to which this work be- 
longs. 

In the third edition, which was published in 1845, 
there are biographical sketches, of greater or less parti- 
cularity and length, of the following persons : — 



vm 



PREFACE. 



Apthorp, Rev. East, D. D. 

Auchrauty, Rev. Samuel, D. D. 

Aiichrauty, Judge Robert, 

Badger, Rev. Moses, 

Bernard, Sir Thomas, Bart. 

Bliss, Daniel, Esq. 
« Bliss, Hon. Jonathan, 

Blowers, Judge S. S. 

Borland, John L., Esq. 

Boutmeau, James, Esq. 

Brattle, Major Thomas, 

Brinley, Thomas, Esq. 

Brown, Col. Thomas, 

Browne, Hon. William, 

Bull, Gov. William, 

Byles, Mather, D. D. 

Chandler, Nathaniel, Esq. 

Chandler, Rufus, Esq, 

Chandler, William, Esq. 

Clark, Richard, Esq. 

Clark, Rev. William, 

Chipman, Judge Ward, 

Coffin, Nathaniel, Esq. 

Coffin, Thomas Asten, Esq. 

Colden, Gov. Cadwallader, 

Cunningham, Col. Patrick, 

Cunningham, Gen. Richard, 

Cunningham, Major William, 

Danforth, Thomas, Esq. 

Edson, Col. Josiah, 

Erving, John, Jr., Esq. 
' Erving, George, Esq. 

Faneuil, Benjamin, Esq. 

Fenton, Capt. John, 

Flucker, Secretary Thomas, 

Franklin, Gov. William, 

Frye, Col. Peter, 

Galloway, Joseph, Esq. 

Gardner, Sylvester, M. D. 

Gray, Treasurer Harrison, 

Green, Francis, Esq. 



Greenleaf, Stephen, Esq. 
Gridley, Benjamin, Esq. 
Hallowell, Benjamin, Esq. 
Hooper, Joseph, Esq. 
Hopton, John, Esq. 
Hume, Hon. John, 
Hutchinson, Elisha, Esq. 
Hutchinson, Judge Foster, 
Hutchinson, Thomas, Jr., Esq. 
Hutchinson, William, Esq. 
IngersoU, Hon. Jared, 
Jeffries, John, M. D. 
Lee, Joseph, Esq. 
Leigh, Sir Egerton, Bart. 
Leonard, Hon. Daniel, 
Lloyd, James, M. D. 
Loring, Commodore Joshua, 
Lovell, Rev. Benjamin. 
Lynde, Ch. Justice Benjamin, 
Marston, Benjamin, Esq. 
Murray, Col. John, 
Oliver, Lieut.-Gov. Andrew, 
Oliver, Judge Andrew, 
Oliver, Dr. Brinley Sylvester. 
Oliver, Daniel, Esq. 
Oliver, Ch. Justice Peter, 
Oliver, Peter, Jr., son of the 

Judge. 
Oliver, Dr. Peter, 
Oliver, Lieut.-Gov. Thomas, 
Orne, Timothy, Esq. 
Oxnard, Edward, Esq. 
Paine, William, M. D. 
Paxton, Charles, Esq. ' 
Peters, Rev. Samuel, D. D. 
Pickman, Col. Benjamin, 
Porter, Samuel, Esq. 
Powell, Col. Robert William, 
Poynton, Capt. Thomas, 
Prince, John, M. D. 
Putnam, Judge James, 



PREFACE. 



IX 



Putnam, James, Jr., Esq. 
Pjnebor, William, Esq. 
Robie, Thomas, Esq, 
Robinson, Col. Beverlj^, 
Robinson, Lieut.-Col. Beverly, 
Robinson, John, 
Rogers, Jeremiah D. 
Rogers, Samuel, Esq. 
Ropes, Judge Nathaniel, 
Routh, Richard, Esq. 
Royall, Col. Isaac, 
Ruggles, Gen. Timothy, 
Russell, Judge Chambers, 
Saltonstall, Col. Richard, 
Savage, Arthur, Esq. 
Sewall, Hon. Jonathan, 
Sewall, Samuel, Esq. 
Sheppen, Edward, 
Simpson, Jonathan, 
Smith, Rev. Isaac, 
Smith, Judge William, 



Sparhavvk, Samuel H., Esq. 
Stuart, Hon. John, 
-Temple, Robert, Esq. 
Troutbeek, Rev. 
Vassall, John, Esq. 
Vassall, William, Esq. 
Waldo, Francis, Esq. 
AVaterhouse, Samuel, Esq. 
Wentworth, Gov. Sir John, Bart. 
Willard, Abel, 
Willard, Abijah, 
Wilkins, Rev. Isaac, 
Williams, Elijah, 
Williams, Seth, Esq. 
Wiuslow, Edward, Jr., Esq. 
Winslow, Pelham, Esq. 
Wiswall, Rev. John, 
Wragg, Hon. William, 
Wright, Gov. Sir James, Bart. 
Zubly, J. J., D. D. 



The notices of the foregoing names are omitted in 
the present edition. As they can be seen by reference 
to that of 1845j it seems unnecessary to repeat them; 
especially as they can also be found substantially in the 
same form in Mr. Sabine's book on the "American Loy- 
alists," published in 1847. Our thanks are due Mr. 
Sabine for his favorable opinion of our labors, expressed 
on page 238 of his valuable work, viz. : " Mr. Curwen^ 

1 Capt. George Curwen, the first of the name in New England, (and who 
used the arms of the Curwens of Workington Hall, Cumberland County, 
England,) spelt his name differendy at different times — Curwin and 
Corwin. There is a document in possession of the family signed by him 
as Corwin and by his son John as Curwin. The family have also two docu- 
ments signed by George, a grandson of Captain George, and both sealed with 
the arms — one is signed Corwin, the other Curwen. The Hon. Jonathan, 
a son of Capt. George, and Judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, 
spelt the name Corwin, while his son, the Rev. George, spelt it Curwin. 

Samuel and George, sons of the Rev. George, spelt it during their mi- 



^ PREFACE. 

kept a Journal which has lately been published, and is 
an interesting book: its editor has enriched it with 
several^ notices of his relative's fellow-loyalists, and 
thus added greatly to its value. No work extant con- 
tains so much information of the unhappy exiles while 

abroad." 

Much new information concerning persons men- 
tioned in former editions will be found ; and a number 
of names and characters alluded to in the text, not be- 
fore brought to view, is added in this edition. 

Charles Dickens, in his " Household Words " for May 
and June, 1853, devoted twenty-three closely printed 
columns to a notice of this work ; and it is remarkable 
that this American book should have so attracted his 
attention as to induce him to read it, which he did, and 
praised, — and 

" Stanley's praise is praise indeed." 

Mr. Dickens described Curwen as "a small, thin, pre- 
cise-looking man, in a dress of grave, square cut, with a 
large bush wig, sharp features, long nose and chin, a 
keen, restless eye, a step as active and firm as though 
it carried sixteen instead of sixty winters, and a com- 
plexion certainly not tanned by an English sun." 

The following passage exhibits our author and his 
Journal in the light in which Dickens regards them: 
" When Judge Curwen fled from the rebellious colonies 
he was sixty years old ; when he went back to the tri- 
umphant young republic, he was sixty-nine ; and of the 
eventful years which formed the interval — all of them 

nority, Corwin ; but (as in Harvard College Catalogue) and after they be- 
came of age, Curwen ; to which cognomen the family in New England have 
ever since adhered, and through all these changes the arms of the Curwens 
of Workington Hall have been used by the family. 
1 The number is one hundred and forty! 



PREFACE. xi 

passed in England, and all with the usual penalties of 
exile, though some with more than its usual enjoy- 
ments — he left a curious record in a diary which his 
surviving representatives printed in New York a dozen 
years ago, and in which those past days with all their 
pains and pleasures, their hopes and their misgivings, 
still live for us with a vivid and singular reality. For 
the record was honest and genuine, as in the main the 
diarist himself was. He does not indeed appear to 
have been of the heroic stuff of martyrs. If the lib- 
erty of opinion he craved had been conceded to him it 
it would probably have involved nothing graver than 
the liberty to change his opinion ; for he was clearly a 
man impressible by events, and would probably have 
saved himself a very long voyage and very great in- 
convenience if he could only have held his tongue till 
after the first few blows were struck in the war of his 
fellow-citizens for independence. Not that he was a 
timeserver — far from that: ^ his views within his line 
of sight were steady and unwavering ; ' but in f)olitics 
this line stretched but a little way, and took also a sub- 
sequent not dishonorable bias from his avowed liking 
of his native land. In other respects he was a man of 
fair learning, and more than average accomplishment ; 
not at all intolerant of opinions at issue with his own ; 
in religion a Dissenter of the class still most jDrevalent 
in New England ; in his tastes scholarly and refined, 
not ill read in general literature, prone to social enjoy- 
ments, a reasonably good critic of what he saw, — alto- 
gether an excellent example of the class of men out of 
whom the fathers and founders of that great republic 
sprang ; and a companion not less pleasant than instruc- 
tive to pass a few hours with, as I hope the reader will 
find." 



xii PREFACE. 



Dickens follows Curwen in his observations upon the 
scenes and objects of interest in London, evidently re- 
garding his descriptions and criticisms as a true and 
adequate picture of the times. "Having gone through 
the great metropolis," he says, " the reader will not ob- 
ject to accompany him through the leading towns of 
Old England, and mark how little or how much they 
may still retain of what their visitor from New Eng- 
land observed in them seventy-eight years ago." 

After quoting the following passage from Curwen's 
Journal, — "Oct. 21st. Rose at six o'clock, and w^ent a 
coursing with two greyhounds and a spaniel for hares. 
Started one and left her in a turnip-field; returned 
about two o'clock, not greatly fatigued, after a ramble 
of fifteen miles over hedge fences, ditches, &c.," — Dick- 
ens speaks as follows : — 

" Nor is this a mere casual indication of activity and 
the power of bearing fatigue. It expresses the habit 
of the man. During the long journeyings to which 
reference has been made, the mere movement from 
place to place has been the least part of the fatigue 
undergone. Whatever any place contains he must see : 
if there be any object of interest in the neighborhood, 
off be starts on a visit to it. He is never willingly 
at rest, never comes to a positive stand-still ; is still 
pushing forward where something more can be seen or 
know^n. With the passion of a dweller in a new coun- 
try for all that makes memory and association so pleas- 
ant in an old one, he is honorably anxious to examine 
every spot consecrated by genius or made illustrious by 
heroism or worth." 

The use that this preeminent literary critic makes 
of Curwen's Journal proves that he regarded it as the 
very best picture extant of that country ; of its cities, 



PREFACE. xiii 

towns, institutions, people, manners, customs, and entire 
state of society and condition of things ninety years ago. 
Confident that he has not overestimated the value and 
interest of the Journal, not only as a part of the liter- 
ature belonging to the American Revolution, but as the 
most trustworthy and thorough representation of the 
mother-country at that period, the editor presents this 
edition in a mechanical style of elegance and finish 
worthy of its inherent, peculiar, and enduring merits. 

The "North American" and other Reviews objected 
that but one letter from Mr. Curwen to his wife was in- 
serted in the book. It was first published with the view 
of enlightening the public as to the wanderings and 
trials of the exiled Loyalists abroad, and not to exhibit 
their domestic relations. Mr. and Mrs. Curwen were 
in constant correspondence during their long separa- 
tion; but as their letters contained nothing of interest 
to the general reader which was not to be found in 
others of similar dates, written with more care, they 
were excluded. 

In bringing the present edition before the public, kind 
aid has been rendered by the Rev. John Langdon Sib- 
ley, A. M., the indefatigable librarian of Harvard Uni- 
versity; John Holmes, A.M., of Cambridge; Rev. George 
E, Ellis, S. T. D., of Charlestown ; Rev. John Parkman, 
A. M., of Boston; and Hon. Charles W. Upham, S. H. S.; 
Dr. Henry Wheatland, A. A. and S. H. S. ; and George 
R. Curwen, Esq., of Salem, to whom the editor tenders 
his grateful thanks. 

G. A. Ward. 

Salem, March 29, 1864. 



CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

His Ancestry, Birth, and Education. Visits Europe. Returns, and engages 
in Commerce at Salem. Joins the Expedition against Louisburg. Ex- 
tracts from his Journal during the Campaign. An Account of the Expe- 
dition. Appointed Impost Officer for Essex County. Literary Clubs at 
Salem. Atfairs in Massachusetts before the Revolution. Difficulties with 
Governors Bernard, Hutchinson, and Gage. Commencement of the 
Revolution. Departure of the Author to Philadelphia, and thence to 
England. His Return and Death. Number of Exiles from Massa- 
chusetts, pp. 1-24 

JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

CHAPTER I. 

A. D. 1775-1776. Causes of the Author's Departure. His Arrival in 
Philadelphia. State of Affairs in that City. Perplexities of the Au- 
thor. He meets Col. Washington. Reception of Hancock and 
Adams. The Author sails for England. Arrives at Dover. Proceeds 
to London. Dines in company with Mrs. Copley, mother of Lord Lynd- 
hurst. Samuel Quincy, Jonathan Sewall, Benjamin Pickman. Let- 
ters to Rev. Thomas Barnard, William Pynchon, &c. Dines with Gov. 
Hutchinson. Visits Bow-Street, Hampton Court, Windsor, Twickenham, 
Newington, &c. Destruction of Falmouth (now Portland), Maine. New 
England Club in London. Meets Sir Francis Bernard. Attends Ora- 
torio of Messiah at Covent Garden. Lecture at Salters' Hall by Dr. 
Price. Visits Chapter House. Doomsday-Book. Portuguese Syna- 
gogue. West's Pictures. Tylney House. Lord Mansfield's Seat at 
Caen Wood. Great Bed of Ware. Rye House. Westminster Hall. 
Maddock's Garden. Pinchbeck's. Boar's-head Tavern. British Mu- 
seum. Duke of Bedford's Seat at Croydon. Rev. Dr. Apthorp. Rev. 
Mr. Peters, .pp. 25-67 



xvi CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER II. 
A. D. 1776. Leaves London for the Country. Visits Salisbury. Stone- 
hen<»e. Exeter. Sidmouth. Rev. Isaac Smith. Letter to Thomas Dan- 
forth. Visits Bristol. Birmingham. Tewksbury. Gloucester. Returns 
to Bristol. Ratclifi' Church. Admiral Penn. Clifton Grotto. Shepton 
Mallet. Lord Arundel's Seat. Cabinet of Pope Sixtus V. Alfred's 
Tower. Spinning-jennies, . . • ... . pp. 68-86 

CHAPTER IIL 

A. D. 1776. Visits Bath. Meets Col. Salfonstall and Mr. Boylston. 
Longleat, Seat of Lord Weymouth. Glastonbury Abbey Ruins. Bridge- 
water. Enmore Castle, Seat of Earl Egmont. Taunton. Sidmouth. 
Slade. Dr. Shebbeare. Supposed Danish Encampment at Hembury. 
Admiral Graves. Exeter. News from New York in " Bristol Gazette." 
Election of Member of Parliament at Exeter. Candidates Baring and 
Cholwich. Visits Lord Courtenay's Belvidere. Birthplace of Sir Francis 
Drake. News from America. Rumors of War between England and 
France. Electioneering in England. Remarks on Election at Exeter. 
Baring elected. Advices from Gen. Burgoyne. Report of Washington's 
Defeat at Kingsbridge. Remarks on the tone of Englishmen towards 
America, and vindication of the latter. Letters to George Russell, 
William Pynchon, and Judge Sewall, .... pp. 87-102 

CHAPTER IV, 

A. D. 1777. Author completes his sixty-first year. Remarks on the Com- 
mencement of the New Year. Letters. Dr. Dodd's case. Visits Plym- 
outh, Exeter, Bristol. Journey to London. Engages Lodgings at 
Brompton-Row, near London. Dines with Gov. Hutchinson. Meets B. 
Hallowell. Thomas Russell. Visits Christ Church Hospital. The Insti- 
tution described. Visits Cromwell's Garden in company with Judge 
Sewall and Abel Willard. Attends New England Club at Mr. Blowers's. 
Dines with Harrison Gray. Letter to Rev. Isaac Smith on American 
Affairs pp. 103-117 

CHAPTER V. 

A. D. 17 77. Journey from London to Ipswich, in company with Judge 
Sewall and Abel Willard. Passes through Rumford, Ingatestone, Witham, 
Colchester. Description of Colchester. Roman Antiquities. Arrival at 
Ipswich. An unpleasing Town. Leaves it for Cambridge. Newmarket 
Races. Description of Trinity College. River Cam. University Library. 
Returns to London. Journey to Oxford. Visits Queen's College. Jesus's 
College. Merton College. Christ Church College. Library. AUsouls. 



CONTENTS. xvii 

Meets Sir F. Bernard. Leaves Oxford. Visits Blenheim House at 
Woodstock. Bicester. Buckingham. Stow Gardens. Lord Georue 
Germaine. Earl Temple. Coventry. Birmingham. Leasowes of Shen- 
stone. Hagley, Lord Lytteltoa's Estate. Hales Owen. Fair. Returns 
to Birmingham, ........ pp. 118-134 

CHAPTER VL 

A. D. 1777. Fair at Birmingham. Soho Gardens. Ashton Park. The 
Author leaves Birmingham for Sheffield. First stage, Litchfield. Cathe- 
dral described. Burton. The Great Staffordshire Canal. Derby Silk- 
Milis. Porcelain Manufactory. Kiddlestone, Seat of Lord Scarsdale. 
Ashburn. Residence of Chaucer. Castleton. Remarkable Cave de- 
scribed. Arrival at Sheffield. Colliery. Wakefield. Original of Gold- 
smith's Vicar of Wakefield, named Johnson. Leeds. Armley. Hudders- 
field. Halifax. A Great Manufacturing Town. Rochdale. Manchester. 
Duke of Bridge water's Canal. St. John's Church. Coal Mines at Wors- 
ley. Description of Manchester. Journey to Bristol. Stockport. Mac- 
clesfield. Leek. Manufactories. Sandon. Stafford. Penkridge. AVol- 
verhampton. Manufactories. Stourbridge. Bromesgrove. Worcester. 
Cathedral described. Tewksbury. Gloucester. Newport. Bristol. 

pp. 135-154 

CHAPTER Vn. 

A. D. 1777. Entry of Member of Parliament elect into Bristol. The 
Author visits the Cathedral. Stapleton. Dundry Tower. Bath. Amer- 
ican Privateers in St. George's Channel. Visit to Wales. Swansea. 
Welsh Customs. Neath. Cowbridge. Cardiff. Newport. Return to 
Bristol. Advices from New York. Adventure of Charles H. Dean 
Tucker. John Wesley. Journey to Exeter. Sidmouth. Axminster. 
Birthplace of the Great Duke of Marlborough. Carpet Manufactories. 
Thorncombe. CuUiford. Slade. Ottery. Return to Exeter. News of 
Gen. Burgoyne's Surrender. Close of the Year, . . pp. 155-176 

CHAPTER VHL 

A. D. 1778. Letter on American Affairs. Enumeration of Troops to be 
sent to America. Lord Abington's Motion. Passage from Dr. Rob- 
ertson. Ceremony of Installing a Bishop, Writers in the Spectator. 
Amount of Captures by American Privateers. Rev. Sir Henry Tre- 
lawney. Political Letters. Report of a Treaty between France and the 
United States. War between England and France, . . pp. 17 7-197 

CHAPTER IX. 

A. D. 1 778. Letter to Judge Sewall on Public Affairs. Remarks on Ability 
of England to sustain a War with France. Public Credit. Number of 

6 * 



xviii CONTENTS. 

Troops sent to America. French Medal in honor of Washington. Com- 
/ missioners to settle the Dispute with America. Massachusetts Exclusion 
Bill. Excursion to Tiverton. The Author removes his Lodgings from 
Exeter to Sidmouth. Ride to Taunton. Colyton. Woodbury Castle, the 
remains of a Danish Fort. Ordination of Rev. Isaac Smith at Sidmouth. 
Procession of Lacemakers at Honiton .... pp. 198-216 



CHAPTER X. 

A. D 1778. Excursion to the West. Otterton. Lympstone. Teignmouth. 
Newton Bushel. Dartmouth. Torbay. Bridgtown. Chudleigh. Exe- 
ter. Returns to Sidmouth. Visits Beach at Axminster. Letters on Pub- 
lic Affairs. Excursion to Weymouth and Portland. Melcomb Regis. 
Island of Portland described. Roman Remains. Dorchester. Advices 
from New York. Quits Sidmouth for Exeter. Arden's Course of Lec- 
tures on Experimental Philosophy. Letter from Judge Sewall. Number 
of Ships taken by the French. Votes of the Bishops on the American 
War. The Author completes his sixty-third year, . . pp. 217-231 

CHAPTER XL 

A. D. 1779. Origin of Custom of making Presents onNew-Year's-Day. Let- 
ters on Public Affairs. British Fleet at Torbay. Lord North announces 
Departure of Spanish Minister. Ordination at Lympstone. Combined 
Fleet of France and Spain off Plymouth. Author suspected of being an 
American Spy. Leaves Exeter for Bristol. Dines with Mr. Vassall. 
Dr. Gardiner. Captain Carpenter arrives with Letters, etc., from Salem. 
Mrs. Erving. William Cabot, pp. 232-250 

CHAPTER XIL 



.^ 



A. D. 1 780. Manilla Ship described. Visit to Bath. Letters. Mr. Wash- 
ington^ a Moravian Preacher. Celebration of Admiral Rodney's Victory 
over Don Langara. Death of William Hutchinson. Number of Amer- 
icans at Bristol, and their Names. Remarks on the Theatre. On Public 
Affairs. Advices from General Clinton in South Carolina. His success. 
Tour to the North in company with the Sewalls. Newport. Newton. 
Honiton. Kidderminster. Brosely. Shrewsbury. Residence of Samuel 
Porter. Ellesmere. Wrexham. Chester. Warrington. Canal Locks at 
Runcorn. Liverpool. Peak of Derbyshire. Derby. Wolverhampton. 
Iron Bridge at Brosely. Curious Celebration of Gen. Clinton's success 
at Charleston by S. Sewall. Passage on the Severn from Bridgenorth to 
Worcester. Adventure with a Footpad. Return to Bristol.* Riots de- 
scribed in Letter to W. Pynchon. Leaves Bristol for London. Amusing 
sign at Devizes. Arrival in London, . . . • pp- 251-287 



CONTENTS. xix 



CHAPTER XIII. 

A. D. 1 780. Letter to Judge Sewall giving an Account of the reported Dark 
Day in America. Reply of Sewall. Visit to Ruins of King's Bench 
Prison and Surrey Bridewell, destroyed by Mob. Remarks on the evil of 
French Troops in America. Opening of Bartholomew Fair by the Lord 
Mayor at Sniithfield. Richmond Gardens. Elections in London. Sad- 
dler's Wells. Plowden's Funeral Monument at the Temple. Roman 
Coins. Disputing Club. Excursion to Hempsted, . . pp. 288-312 

CHAPTER XIV. 

A. D. 1 780. Visit to Parliament House. Ladies' Disputing Society. Guild- 
hall Meeting. Lord Mayor's Day. Chancery Court. Essex House 
Chapel. Rev. Mr. Lindsay. Carlisle House. Montague House. British 
Museum. Lottery Drawing at Guildhall. Disputing Club. Affair of 
Major Andre. Mr. Copley's Picture-Room. Painting of Death of Lord 
Chatham, etc pp. 313-327 

CHAPTER XV. 

A. D. 1781. Description of Entertainment at Covent Garden Theatre. 
Letters. American Academy of Arts and Sciences founded in Massa- 
chusetts. Trial of Lord George Gordon. Visit to Priory, Clerkenwell. 
Greenwich Hospital. Mrs. Cowley's New Play. Colonel, now Governor 
Browne. House of Commons. Debate. Mr. Burke. Visit to West- 
minster Abbey. Mary-le-bone. Dr. Priestley. British Museum. Curi- 
osities seen there. Benj. Thompson, (Count Rumford.) Intercepted 
Letter of General Washington. Excursion to Windsor. Personal De- 
scription of the King and Queen. Eton College. Chiswick House. 
News of the Burning of New London. Admiral Rodney's Fleet at Tor- 
bay. Consequences of Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Henry Laurens 
discharged from the Tower on Bail, .... pp. 328-362 

CHAPTER XVL 

A. D. 1782. Letters. Visit to the Queen's House. Domestic Habits of the 
King. Letter from Judge Oliver. Secret Service List for 1781. Gen- 
eral Burgoyne. Welsh Procession. Disgrace of Lord George Germaine. 
Defeat of Ministers. General Rejoicing in England. Lord Surrey and 
Benedict Arnold. New Ministry. Anecdote of the Prince of Wales. 
Lord North. Excursion to Hampton Court. Division in the Cabinet. 
Admiral Barrington. News of the Defeat of the French Fleet by Admiral 
Rodney. Maddocks the Florist. Anecdote of the Shakespeare Mug. Par- 
son Wiswall. New Arrangement of the Ministry. Visit to House of 



-f 



^^ CONTENTS. 

Commons. Parson Peters. Sir William Pepperell. Lord Howe. Sterne's 
Private Character. Public Notice of a Provisional Treaty between Eng- 
land and the United States. State of Parties. Sir William Draper. 

pp. 363-398 

CHAPTER XVII. 

A. D. 1 783. Meeting of Refugees at Sir Wm. Pepperell's. Death of Mr. 
Flucker. Uncertain Prospects of the Loyalists. Dr. Graham's Lecture 
on Health. Meeting of the Royal Society described. Public Affairs. 
Procession in honor of Fox. Mrs. Siddons at Drury Lane. Visit to the 
House of Lords. Mr. De Berdt. Excursion to Herts. Hoddesdon. 
Letters. St. Giles's. Peace proclaimed with France, Spain, and Hol- 
land. Nathaniel Gorham. Macklin at Covent Garden, pp. 399-435 



CHAPTER XVm. 

A. D. 1784. Pitt's East India Bill lost. The Author receives Letters 
from Salem encouraging his return. Riots in London between followers 
of Pitt and Fox. Dr. Watson, Bishop of Llandaff. Letters from 
William Pynchon. Funeral of Sheriff Turner. Letter from Judge 
Sewall. The Author's Petition for leave to return to America, and to 
appoint an Agent to receive his Pension. Visit to the Treasurer. Prep- 
arations for leaving England. Embarks in Ship Union. Fellow-pas- 
sengers. Lands at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Excursion on the Island. Ar- 
rival at Boston. Captain Coombs. The Author's Classmates. Letter 
from Noah Clap, pp. 436-461 

SUPPLEMENT. 

ILLtrSTBATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

PAQE 

Address of the Merchants and others of Boston to Governor Hutchinson, 

May 30, 1774, 465 

Address of the Inhabitants of Marblehead to the same. May 25, 1774, 468 
Address of the Barristers and Attorneys of Massachusetts to the same. 

May 30, 1774, 469 

Recantations of several of the Salem "Addressers," May 30, 1775, . 471 
Address of the Merchants and others of Salem to Governor Gage, June 

11, 1774, 472 

Names of the Gentlemen and Principal Inhabitants of Boston who 

signed an Address to the same, Oct. 6, 1775, .... 474 
Names of Gentlemen driven into Boston, who signed a Loyal Address 

to the same, Oct. 14, 1775, 475 

Conspiracy Act of Massachusetts, April 30, 1779, .... 475 
Confiscation Act of Massachusetts, April 30, 1779, .... 477 



CONTENTS. xxi 

PAGE 

Councillors of Massachusetts appointed by Writ of Mandamus, August 

9, 1774, 479 

Banishment Act of Massachusetts, Sept. 1778, 479 

Worcester (Massachusetts) Resolutions respecting Refugees and Ab- 
sentees, May 19, 1783, 484 

List of Inhabitants who left Boston with the British Troops in 1776, . 485 
List of such as died in exile from Massachusetts from 1776 to 1783, . 489 

Confiscation Act of New York, 1779, 489 

Action of New Jersey regarding the Loyalists, ..... 490 

List of Officers who declined signing the Articles of Association in South 
Carolina when ofiered them by the General Committee of the Rev- 
olutionists, ........... 491 

List of the Loyalists proscribed by the General Assembly of South 

Carolina, 493 

List of Citizens who congratulated General Sir Henry Clinton on the 

fall of Charleston, • . 493 

List of Citizens who served as Volunteers in the Royal Militia, . . 494 
List of Citizens who congratulated General Earl Cornwallis, . . 494 
List of those who held Commissions under the Royal Government, . 494 
List of those who avowed their Allegiance to His Britannic Majesty, and 

manifested themselves inveterate Enemies to the State, . . 495 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Abbot, Stephen, 496 

Ashley, Rev. Jonathan, 497 

Baring, Sir Francis, . 497 

Bernard, Governor Sir F., ........ 499 

Blowers, Sampson Salter, 500 

Boylston, Ward Nicholas, 603 

Brattle, Major Thomas, 504 

, General William, 504 

Browne, Hon. William, 504 

, Hon. William, 505 

Burgoyne, General, 506 

Cabot, Andrew, 509 

, John, 509 

, George, 509 

Carleton, General Sir Guy, 510 

Chandler, Nathaniel, 511 

Clinton, Governor George 512 

, Sir Henry, 512 

Coffin, Nathaniel, 513 

, Thomas Aston, 513 



xxii CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



Conway, General Thomas, ^1^ 

Cooper, Myles, . . . • ^^4 

Copley, John Singleton, 519 

Cornwallis, Charles, ^20 

Crowninshield, George, ^21 

Curtis, Charles, * ^24 

Gushing, Thomas, 525 

, William, 525 

Dana, Francis, 526 

De Grasse, Fran9ois Joseph Paul, 526 

D'Estaing, Admiral Charles H., 529 

DeKalb,John, 529 

Derby, Elias Hasket, Sen., 530 

i-, Richard, , . . . 533 

Draper, Sir William, ... 534 

Fairfaxes, The, 534 

Fanueil, Benjamin, Jr., 543 

Fiske, John, 546 

Frye, Peter, 547 

Gage, General Thomas, 547 

Gates, Horatio, 548 

Germaine, Lord George, 549 

Gibbs, Henry, 550 

Goodale, Nathan, . . • 550 

Goodhue, Hon. Benjamin 551 

Gorham, Hon. Nathaniel, 552 

Gray, William, 552 

Green, Joseph, 554 

Greene, David, 554 

Gridley, Benjamin, 555 

, General Richard, 555 

Haraden, Captain, 556 

Harrison, Gov. Benjamin, 558 

Hartshorne, Thomas, 558 

Hatch, Nathaniel, 559 

Hawley, Joseph, 559 

Hewes, Joseph, • . . . 560 

Hill, Rev. Abraham, 560 

Hiller, Major Joseph, 560 

Hodges, Benjamin, 562 

Holyoke, Dr. Edward Augustus, 563 

Hooper, Hon. Robert, 565 

Hovey, Rev. Ivory, 565 

Howe, General Sir William, . , 566 

Lord Admiral Earl, 566 



CONTENTS. xxiii 



PAGE 



Hutchinson, Governor, 567 

Jones, Adnairal John Paul, 572 

Knyphausen, Lieut.-General, the Baron, 578 

Lee, General Charles, 578 

, Colonel William R., 579 

McGilchrist, Rev. William, 580 

Mauduit, Jasper, . . • 584 

, Israel, 584 

Mifflin, General Thomas, 584 

Moulton, Col. Jeremiah, 584 

Newton, Roger, D. D 585 

Oliver, Hon. Andrew 585 

Paine, Judge Robert Treat 586 

, William, M. D 587 

Palmer, Thomas, 587 

Peabody, Joseph, 587 

Pepperrell, Lieut.-General William, 602 

, Councillor, William, 619 

Perkins, Thomas, 621 

Phips, Col. David, 624 

Pickering, Timothy, 624 

Pickman, Benjamin 627 

, William, 628 

Porter, Samuel, 630 

Quincy, Samuel, . . . . 630 

Reed, Joseph, 647 

Robie, Thomas, 647 

Rochambeau, Lieut-General, 648 

Ropes, Judge, 648 

Rumford, Benjamin Thompson, Count, 649 

, Countess, . . . , 650 

Saltonstall, Col. Richard, 652 

Sargent, John, 664 

Shirley, Governor William, 655 

Silsbee, Nathaniel, 655 

Simpson, Jonathan 657 

Sparhawk, Samuel Hirst, . ....... 658 

Steuben, General, 658 

Stevens, George Alexander, 660 

Taylor, Joseph, 660 

Temple, Robert, 660 

Thomas, Nathaniel Ray, 660 

Thorndike, Israel, 661 

Upham, Col. Joshua, 664 

Vaughan, Lieut.-Col. William, 668 



xxiv CONTENTS. 

FAOE 

Walter, William, D. D 668 

Ward, Richard, 669 

Warren, Admiral Sir Peter, 670 

West, Nathaniel, 670 

Winslow, Edward, 672 

, Isaac, 672 

Winthrop, Vice- Admiral Robert, . . . • . . . . 673 

, Governor Thomas Lindall, 675 

Worthington, John, 676 



I 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 



His Ancestry, Birth, and Education. Visits Europe. Returns, and engages 
in Commerce at Salem. Joins the Expedition against Louisburg. Ex- 
tracts from his Journal during the Campaign. An Account of the Ex- 
pedition. Appointed Impost Officer for Essex County. Literary Clubs 
at Salem. Affairs in Massachusetts before the Revolution. Difficulties 
with Governors Bernard, Hutchinson, and Gage. Commencement of 
the Revolution. Departure of the Author to Philadelphia, and thence to 
England. His Return and Death. Number of Exiles from Massa- 
chusetts. 

The paternal ancestry of Samuel Curwen, the author 
of the Journal and Correspondence now submitted to 
the public, was for many centuries amongst the lead- 
ing families in the County of Cumberland, in the North 
of England, where the family seat, named Workington 
Hall, still remains. 

Captain George Curwin, the immediate ancestor of 
our author, was born in England, December 10, 1610. 
He settled at Salem, and, in company with the cele- 
brated Hugh Peter, laid the foundation of the mer- 
cantile enterj)rise of Salem, and first commenced build- 
ing vessels in that port ; he was afterwards extensively 
engaged in commerce during the whole of his long 
life. His books of account, and his mercantile corre- 
spondence with Sir William Peake, (Lord Mayor of 
London in 1666,) show that he had embarked in the 
London trade previous to the year 1658. The late 



2 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

Rev. Dr. Bentley thus notices him in his "Sketch of 
Salem," pubhshed in the " Collections of the Massachu- 
setts Historical Society," in 1800: "This year (1685) 
Salem lost another eminent man, Capt. George Cur- 
win, who came here in 1638, with his family, and was 
rich. He was often engaged in town affairs, and com- 
manded a troop of horse. He was also a Representative 
in the General Court. There is a three-quarter portrait 
of him in the hands of Samuel Curwen, Esq., son of 
the Rev. George Curwin, and his great-grandson. He 
had a fine round forehead, large nostrils, high cheek 
bones, and gray eyes. His dress, a wrought flowing 
neckcloth, a sash covered with lace, a coat with short 
cuffs and reaching half way between the wrist and 
elbow, the shirt in plaits below ; an octagon ring and 
cane, which still remains." He died on the 3d of Jan- 
uary, 1685, leaving no debts, and one of the largest 
estates that had been administered upon in the Colony, 
which was inventoried at only d£ 5,964 19^. Id., but 
comprised, besides the homestead, four dwelling-houses, 
four warehouses, and two wharves in Salem ; three 
farms in the vicinity containing fifteen hundred acres ; 
a warehouse and wharf in Boston ; the ketches George, 
Stvalbtv, John, and William, valued at d£l,050 ; in mer- 
chandise, dG2,232 ; in gold and silver coin, £93 7^. 0^., 
in English and New England money, and 621 ounces 
of plate. Among the wearing apparel inventoried, are 
a silver-laced cloth coat, a velvet ditto, a satin waists 
coat embroidered with gold, a troping scarf and silver 
hat-band, golden topped and embroidered gloves, and 
a silver-headed cane, which still remains. 

In the settlement of the estate. Captain Curwin's 
widow, Elizabeth, who was a daughter of Gov. Edward 
Winslow, and also a sister of Gov. Josiah Winslow, of 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 3 

Plymouth Colony, claimed some plate given her by the 
Lord Mayor, by her father, and by the Governor ; to- 
gether with eight pounds in gold, which her husband 
had received from Mr. Pope, being the " produce " of 
an Indian boy sent her by the Governor and Council 
from Plymouth. 

His four daughters married Hon. James Russell and 
Edward Lyde, Esq., of Boston ; William Browne, Jr., 
Esq., and Josiah Wolcott, Esq., of Salem. 

Captain John Curwin, the eldest son, was born in 
Salem, July 28th, 1638. He became a merchant, and 
was elected deputy to the General Court from Salem, 
where he resided. He married Margaret, third daugh- 
ter of John Winthrop, Jr., Governor of Connecticut, in 
May, 1665. Captain Curwin died in 1683, leaving an 
only son, George, born February, 1666. The latter, 
who married Susannah, and afterwards Lydia, daugh- 
ters of the Hon. Bartholomew Gedney, of the Pro- 
vincial Council, is the Captain Curwin mentioned in 
" Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts," in the expedi- 
tion against Canada, under Sir William Phipps, in 1690. 
He was, unfortunately. Sheriff of the County of Essex, 
in 1692 ; and for officiating during the witchcraft de- 
lusion, was severely persecuted by the friends of the 
sufferers, till his death, which took place in 1696. 

Bartholomew Corwin, the only son of the last men- 
tioned George, removed to Amwell, Hunterdon County, 
New Jersey, and married Esther Burt. He had four 
sons, viz. : George, John, Joseph, and Samuel, and died 
May 9th, 1747. Samuel Corwin, of Amwell, a grand- 
son of Bartholomew, informed the editor, in 1822, that 
the books and papers left by his grandfather were de- 
stroyed, with other movables, during the Revolutionary 
war, when his uncle Joseph removed to Canada,- and 



4 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

the family of his uncle George, who died in 1780, re- 
moved to Kentucky. Probably Governor Corwin, of 
Ohio, is a descendant of this branch. He also informed 
the editor that John Corwin, a great-grandson of Bar- 
tholomew, was living at Baltimore. 

Hon. Jonathan Corwin, second son of the first 
mentioned George, was born at Salem, Nov. 14, 1640, 
and made a freeman May 31, 1671. He married 
Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Sheafe, of 
Boston, and widow of Robert Gibbs, who was a son 
of Sir Henry Gibbs. He commenced his public career 
of a Deputy to the General Court, in 1684, which 
office he again held in 1689. The following extract 
from the records of Salem, shows much confidence in 
him; and at the same time the action of that town 
towards re-establishing a government under the ven- 
erable Bradstreet, in opposition to the tyranny of Sir 
Edmund Andros. 

" May 7, 1689. Capt. John Prince and Mr. Jonathan Cor- 
win were chosen to assist in the Council at Boston, to be 
held on the 9th inst. ; and we desire that the Honorable the 
Governor, the magistrates, and deputies chosen in the year 
1686, would (having always due respect to our dependence 
on the Crown of England, and the obligation we are under 
by the late declaration before the surrender of the last 
government) reassume our charter government, by taking 
their places and forming a General Court as soon as possi- 
ble ; unto which we shall readily and cheerfully subject our- 
selves, and be always assisting to the utmost of our power 
with our lives and estates as formerly." 

From 1689 to 1714, Mr. Corwin was of the Pro- 
vincial Council, named in the Massachusetts Charter 
granted by William and Mary, in 1691. In 1692 the 
Court of Oyer and Terminer to try persons accused of 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 5 

witchcraft, was organized, and Nathaniel Saltonstall 
was appointed one of the Judges, but soon resigned, 
when Mr. Corwin was appointed in his place, and sat 
in most of the trials before that Court. The same 
year he was appointed Justice of the Inferior Court of 
Pleas for Essex Count^i, and remained upon that bench 
till 1708, when he was selected to fill the vacancy in 
the Superior Court of Judicature, caused by the resig- 
nation of Judge John Leverett, who was that year 
made President of Harvard College, which oflBce he 
resigned in consequence of ill health in 1715. He 
was also Judge of Probate from 1698 until 1702. He 
died 9th July, 1718. Of his children, but three 
arrived at maturity, viz. : Anne, who died at the age 
of eighteen ; Elizabeth, who married James Lindall, 
Esq., of Salem ; and George, born in 1682, graduated 
at Harvard College in 1701, and married Mehitable, 
daughter of Deliverance Parkman, Esq., (by his wife 
Mehitable, daughter of Hon. John Waite, Speaker of 
Massachusetts House of Representatives) 27th July, 
1711. He prepared himself for the Church, and was 
ordained and settled in that of his ancestors, in Salem; 
the first founded in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. 
He is thus noticed in the "Historical Collections of Mas- 
'sachusetts," as copied from the records of the Church. 

" Died, at Salem, Nov. 23, 1717, the Rev. George Curwin, 
in the thirty-fifth year of his age, and the fourth of his 
ordained ministry. He was highly esteemed in his life, and 
very deservedly lamented at his death ; having been very 
eminent for his early improvement in learning and piety, his 
singular abilities and great labors, his remarkable zeal and 
faithfulness. He was a great benefactor to our poor." 

There is a good half-length portrait of him in the 

possession of George R. Curwen, Esq. His sons were 

1* 



g INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

Jonathan, who died young, and Samuel, author of the 
foUowmg journal, born in Salem, Dec. 17, 1715. He 
graduated at Harvard College in 1735, and subse- 
quently pursued the usual course of preparatory studies 
for the Church, but his health proving inadequate to 
the labors of the profession, h% was obliged to relin- 
quish the design, when disappointment in an affair of 
the heart induced him to travel in England and on 
the Continent. On his return, Mr. Curwen engaged 
in commercial pursuits with uprightness and success. 
His business was subsequently interrupted by the dep- 
redations of French cruisers, fitted out from Louis- 
burg in the Island of Cape Breton. New England 
suffered immensely in her commerce from the same 
cause, and her enterprising people resolved upon the 
reduction of that stronghold of the enemy at all haz- 
ards. Accordingly we find what was generally con- 
sidered a romantic expedition set on foot for this 
purpose in the winter of 1744-5 ; and Mr. Curwen, 
as a Captain, and his brother as a Commissary, join it. 
The command of this expedition, comprising some 
four thousand New England militia, was given to Gen- 
eral Pepperrell, who having suffered largely from the 
depredations of French cruisers, advanced several 
thousand pounds towards the outfit. The result of 
the expedition, the great event of our Colonial his- 
tory, was successful, and reflected credit on the par- 
ticipators in it. General Pepperrell was created a Bar- 
X)net and Lieutenant-General, — honors never before 
conferred on a native of the North American Provinces. 
In May, 1750, Mr. Curwen v/as married to Abigail, 
daughter of Hon. Daniel Russell, of Charlestown, and 
sister of Hon. Chambers Russell ; she died 31st March, 
1793. 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 7 

Mr. Ciirwen had been in the commission of the 
peace for thirty years, and at the time of his depart- 
ure was a Judge of Admiralty, in which office he was 
immediately succeeded by Timothy Pickering, the pa- 
triot, who afterwards so ably filled distinguished offices 
in the Army, in the Cabinet of Washington, and the 
Councils of our country. Judge Curwen returned in 
the autumn of 1784, much to the satisfaction of his 
friends, and was never molested for his political course ; 
he died in his native town, 9th April, 1802, and was 
buried with his ancestors in the family tomb, in Broad- 
street Cemetery. 

George, the youngest brother of our author, was 
born 4th December, 1717, and graduated at Harvard 
College, with his brother, in 1735. He engaged in 
commercial pursuits with success, until interrupted by 
hostilities with France, which induced him to join in 
the expedition against Louisburg, as before stated. 
His commission as Commissary, signed by Governor 
Shirley, is dated February 1, 1745. He married Sarah, 
youngest daughter of Benjamin and Abigail (Lindall) 
Pickman, 18th March, 1738, and died in the prosecution 
of a mercantile enterprise at St. Eustatia, in 1746. His 
widow died 3d January, 1810, at the advanced age of 
ninety-one years. 

Their children were George, born in 1739, who early 
embarked in commerce, and was drowned while on a 
voyage to the West Indies, in 1761 ; Sarah, who died 
unmarried ; and Mehitable, who married the late Rich- 
ard Ward, Esq., of Salem, and died in 1813, at the age 
of seventy-two. 

The late Samuel Curw^en Ward, Jr., a grandson of 
the last mentioned, and brother of the editor of this 
work, at the request of Judge Curwen, took his name, 



8 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

by an Act of the Legislature of Massachusetts ; and the 
three sons of the former and their children are all that 
now bear that name in New England. 

The following are extracts from Mr. Curwen's jour- 
nal, kept during the campaign and siege of Louisburg : 

^'■Boston, March 23, 1745. The General is embarking, and 
we shall sail this afternoon. Commodore Warren is coming 
to our assistance, which, with the blessing of God, will be of 
great advantage. There will go down in the first embarka- 
tion at least twenty-five hundred soldiers. 

Sheepscot, March 27. We have in our mess Mr. Walter,^ 
our chaplain, who is a very pleasant companion. I dined to- 
day on board with Capt. Grant, who to-morrow, with Capt. 
King, will breakfast with me. Our troops were landed at 
Chapeaurouge on the 29th March. 

Canso, April 17. Wrote home for provisions and stores 
to be sent in case the goods I expect shall arrive safe from 
England. We are almost reduced to pork and pease. 

Our men-of-war and privateers are stationed all round 
the island to prevent vessels going in or coming out. This 
evening another prize arrived, taken by Capt. Donahue, in 
the Swan, of Marblehead, who behaved very bravely. The 
prize had captured the packet sent from Boston to Canso,'^ 
to notify us that Commodore Warren was coming to our 
assistance, which heightens our spirits. 

Canso, April 22. Capt. Durell is come in this afternoon 
to our assistance ; as yet we have no news of Commodore 
Warren ; hope it will not be long before he arrives with an 
account of the French men-of-war expected. Our last trans- 
port arrived this afternoon ; we had almost given her up. 

1 Son of Rev. Nehemiah Walter, of Roxbury. His son, Rev. Dr. William 
Walter, a proscribed Refugee, became Dean of Shelburne, Nova Scotia; re- 
turned to Boston in 1792, as Rector of Christ Church, and died 1800, M. 64. 
He married a daughter of Chief Justice Lynde. 

2 Canso, or Canseau, was taken bj' the French and Indians ; the houses 
were burnt and fisheries destroyed ; the garrison and inhabitants made pris- 
oners, and sent to Louisburg. 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. ' 9 

I believe our campaign will be short, and expect the place 
will surrender without bloodshed. 

Last night our chaplain and doctor went with two compa- 
nies to attack St. Peter's, and we are momently looking for 
their return. I long to be once within the walls of Louis- 
burg. This is the strangest country I ever knew; not two 
fair days together. 

Canso, April 27. The Connecticut fleet arrived, and Col. 
Lathrop handed me my letter. The scheme of attacking 
Louisburg is altered every day. 

Commodore Warren has arrived. I trust the expedition 
will prove successful, and that our friends will remember we 
are going against our common enemy. May 1st, a small 
party went to the harbor and burned a small quantity of 
wine, brandy, and naval stores. 

Camp before Louisburg; May 6. We have got possession 
of the Grand Battery ; the French departed from it three 
days ago ; they spiked all the guns, but we have got seven 
of them clear, and five of them are continually playing upon 
the town. Our soldiers are all in good heart, and I doubt 
not in a few days we shall have the town. We have taken 
a great number of prisoners. 

Commodore Warren this day came ashore to visit the 
General ; he and all our officers have a good understanding 
among themselves. 

Yesterday a gun at the Grand Battery split and wounded 
five of our men. They now and then throw a bomb, but do 
no damage. 

This morning came in Col. Moulton with his detachment 
from St. Peter's, which they have demolished with the loss 
of but one man. Providence has signally smiled, and I 
doubt not the campaign will be crowned with success. I 
am willing to undergo anything for the good of our cause. 

Camp before Louisburg, May 12, 1745. Commodore 
Warren has had two hundred marines and sailors ashore 
for three days past in order to attack the Island-Battery, 
but something or other has always prevented its accom- 
plishment, so the Commodore has ordered them all aboard, 
and gone on board himself not a little dissatisfied. 



10 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

Camp before Louisburg, May 26. Commodore Warren 
has taken the Vigilante, a 64 gun-ship, from France, coming 
with ammunition for this garrison. She was manned with 
five hundred men, had five hundred barrels gunpowder on 
board : she lost thirty men before she struck. The command 
of her is given to Captain Douglass, who before had the 
Mermaid, and Capt. Montague is to have the 3Iermaid. 
This has given new life to all our officers and soldiers. 

Capt. Gayton is safely arrived at last, which affords great 
joy ; for we almost despaired of him, being out so long after 
all the transports had arrived that left under his convoy. 

Capt. Fletcher has had the misfortune to lose ten men by 
the Indians ; seven killed, and three taken prisoners. They 
went ashore ten miles above where we lay, to get wood, and, 
keeping no guard, were beset by the Indians and cut off. 

Camp before Louisburg, June 2d. We have made an at- 
tempt upon the Island-Battery, and failed. Abbot, a towns- 
man of mine, was wounded in the leg, and I fear he will 
lose his life. An hundred men are missing, and we are in 
hopes they are taken, as two boats laden with men were 
seen going into the town after the attack, when the French 
gave three hurrahs. Young Gray is dead, and three of 
Capt. Grant's men are missing, — all of Salem. Our scouts 
have had an engagement with a number of French and In- 
dians, which we routed; killed thirty, and wounded forty; 
we lost but six killed ; among them is the brave Capt, Dim- 
mock, of Barnstable, and twenty wounded, some very dan- 
gerously. Our men got under the very walls before the 
French fired a gun. 

Louisburg, June 17th, 1745. The Governor, aware of our 
preparations for a general assault, thought it best to capitu- 
late, and has just surrendered the city to our arms. 

Louisburg', July 25th, 1745. An East India ship, worth at 
least j£200,000 sterling, came off the harbor, and fired a gun 
for a pilot. The Commodore sent out two sixty-gun ships, 
which came up with and took her in three hours ; we had 
pleasure, from the walls, to see her strike to them. Two 
others, sent out three weeks before her, bound hither, are 
hourly expected to heave in sight. Col. Graham goes to- 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. H 

morrow in a sloop as a flag of truce for Canada, with about 
thirty French prisoners ; he is the only Englishman that goes 
in her. 

I am going on board Capt. Lovett, to St. Peter's, with a 
number of my soldiers, to guard the wood-vessels going 
there. Our affairs will soon be settled, and I shall, to my 
great joy, return home. 

TO HENRY GIBBS, ESQ., SALEM. 

LouiSBURGH, July 25, 1745. 
Dear Sir : 

I enclose you a rough draught of the Island-Bg,ttery, which 
I hope will afford you some pjeasure. It may perhaps give 
you some idea of the place which the day before yesterday I 
saw, and not before. I have the great pleasure to congratu- 
late you on our continued success, in taking a rich East 
India ship, which, upon the ramparts, about three thousand 
of us saw strike to the Princess Mary and Canterbury. 
She appeared in sight on Monday, the 23d, about middle 
P. M. She fired for a pilot, and was answered by the 
Island-Battery with French colors, as the ships in the harbor, 
by the Commodore's order, laid to, until the Vigil, which is 
placed opposite the mouth, came up as a decoy. Early the 
next morning, the two ships above-mentioned went out with 
the white ensign, which the Frenchman laid to for, and too 
late discovered her mistake ; for, being surrounded by the 
English ships, after having received a broadside from the 
Princess Mary, she yielded without firing a gun ; her cargo 
cost in India about £75,000 sterling. It is judged to be 
worth one hundred and fifty per cent, above the cost. She 
has on board thirty tons of pepper, eight hundred and eighty- 
five bales of muslin, and other very valuable commodities, 
but no tea or porcelain. 

On the 23d, Mr. Rolleau, an engineer, was buried in mar- 
tial order ; the second of the sort since my arrival, a marine 
having been buried in this manner about a week since. The 
procession began by soldiery, with arras reversed, two and 
two, about twenty-five file, then the corpse, with a standard 
on the coffin, on top of which was placed a drawn sword. 



12 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 



Three files before the corpse went two drummers, with drums 
unbraced, and beating with the butt-ends of their sticks, at 
proper pauses, which made a most solemn sound. Then 
went the General and suite, in a most confused, irregular 
manner. I am this day going out with a detachment of sixty 
or seventy of our regiment, as a guard to twelve sloops, to 
St. Peter's, for wood for the garrison, being the third piece of 
duty of the military sort. I have no more news. 

Heartily wishing you success in business, health of body 
and tranquility of mind, I remain your friend, and most 
obedient huijible servant, Samuel Curwen." 




The embrasures on the front are not more than three feet above the 
ground. 
1. Fronting mouth of the harbor, 22 embrasures, 21 guns, 36 and 48 

pounders. 

Barracks. 

Sally-ports. 

Wall framed of timber, and covered with plank, and filled with stone 
and lime, in which is an embrasure with a 48 pounder. 

Wall, defended with two small swivels. 

The place at which whale-boats might easily land 500 men. 

One entire rock, perpendicular on the face, and absolutely impossible to 

be climbed. 

Piquet of large timber, fastened by iron clamps, drilled Into the solid rock. 
9. Commandant's apartments, five feet high. 
10. The gate under the wall, about four feet wide, formed like a common 

sally-port, not straight, but made an angle of 160 degrees. Ten men 

can prevent ten hundred making their way ; this wall has but four guns 

and two swivels. 

I paced the island, and judged it to be about 56 yards wide and 150 
long, at the widest part, nearly. 



2. 
3. 

4. 

5. 
6. 



8. 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 13 

FROM WILLIAM LYNDE. 

Salem, July 27, 1745. 
Capt. Curwen : 

I have had the pleasure of but one letter from you since 
you left us. If no more East Indiamen, &c., drop in, yet a 
line on any occasion will be very agreeable. I should be 
glad to hear of the event of these ships being at Louisburg, 
and what effect their coming will have on the fleet, army, 
New England, the nation, or any particulars of them, or con- 
cerning liouisburg; the French fishery, settlements on the 
island, &c., if not too troublesome to you. 

I hope New England will be the happier for the event 
of the expedition, which is known to have been too bold a 
stroke for your enemy ; — how it will turn out is doubtful, 
since many are competitors for the honor. We here assure 
ourselves of the Governor's good designs and influence on 
our part. I could say more than write on this article, and 
cannot but be sanguine for the honor of our country and 
friends, whose all was involved in the happy issue of the 
expedition. We hope daily to hear of the Governor's arrival, 
and good measures for the general advantage. The fleet 
assume their full share, from all accounts, and have much 
popularity ashore ; doubt not of the influence of omnipo- 
tent gold, which, perhaps, they have a greater share of than 
of honor or jurisdiction on land. How you stand inclined 
yourself, I know not, though don't doubt your zeal for our 
country and friends. 

As to occurrences at Salem ; trade has been successful, 
and no losses ; — if the Dutch break this year, you know how 
it will affect. We hear from New York, and via Lisbon, of 
some five French men-of-war, designing for Cape Breton ; 
perhaps to convoy the Indiamen. Undoubtedly you may 
expect some via Lisbon advices ; they say Genoa has de- 
clared for the French and Spaniards. From New York they 
say the Duke of Tuscany is Emperor, but it is doubted here. 
I believe there is matter enough in Europe for a long war ; 
but perhaps you have later news than we. Our Government 
2 



;1^4: INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

has declared war against the Penobscot Indians, who have 
broke in on our new settlements ; so that we are at war with 
all Eastern Indians ; they are doubtless put on by the French 
of Canada. New England has enough on her hands, though 
the season is hopeful and trade brisk. Some particulars I 
could give verbatim, which I cannot write. Hope to see you 
soon here, and spend some pleasant hours with you, as we 
have spent many past. Give my hearty service to your 
brother and Capt. Grant. My brother^ desires you would 
excuse his not writing by this opportunity. Capt. Hillyer is 
now going to sail, having given but short notice. 
Believe me, dear Sir, your real friend, 

WILLIAM LYNDE. 

A late writer thus describes this expedition, which is 
among the most remarkable in our history : — 

" The French had built a city and fortress on the island 
of Cape Breton, at immense cost, and of immense strength, 
which, in honor of the King, was called ' Louisburg,' Their 
fisheries in the seas in its vicinity (as was ascertained by 
Mr. Kilby, as agent of Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts,) 
produced one million and four hundred thousand quintals 
annually, and they annoyed the Colonial fishermen so much, 
that the fishing interest of Massachusetts and New Hamp- 
shire resolved on the destruction of Louisburg, and the 
expulsion of the French from the fishing grounds. Appli- 
cation was made to Governor Shirley accordingly, by 
Vaughan, a son of the Lieut.-Governor of New Hampshire, 
who was largely interested in the fisheries, and whose fisher- 
men had imparted to him valuable information as to the 
weak parts of its defences. The subject was considered in 
secret session, the first ever held in the Colonies. After much 
difficulty, and after having been negatived once, it was re- 
solved to undertake the destruction of this wonderful city. 
But the Colonies south of New England declined to aid 
in so mad an enterprise, though urged to do so ; and Dr. 
1 Benjamin Lynde, afterwards Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 15 

Franklin, as if forgetting that he ' was Boston born,' ridiculed 
the project, in one of the wittiest letters that he ever wrote. 
The sphit of New England was up. A feeling something 
like that which caused the Crusades, prevailed among her 
people, high and low. Religion shouted 'Popery;' — and 
even Whitefield made a recruiting-house of the sanctuary ; 
and he not only preached delenda est Carthago, but one 
of his followers actually joined the troop as Chaplain, and 
carried an axe at the shoulder, with which to hew down the 
Catholic images in the churches of the fated city. On sail- 
ing, the troops were furnished with line and other gear to 
catch fish on the passage. The original plan of attack was 
not observed, but to the. surprise of all the city fell, and 
Pepperell was rewarded most magnificently ; while Vaughan, 
who claimed to have conceived its destruction, and who cer- 
tainly did much to effect it, and was second in command, 
and performed extraordinary feats of valor before it, was suf- 
fered to die neglected, though he went to London in person 
to press his claims. At the peace of 1749, Louisburg was 
restored to France, much to the displeasure of New Eng- 
land. In the war with France, which preceded the Revolu- 
tion by about twenty years, it was captured a second time, 
and miners were sent from England to reduce its walls to 
rubbish. In its second capture, Wolfe distinguished himself 
much. He sailed from this doomed city for Quebec, at the 
head of 8,000 men, to rise from a sick bed, and ' die satisfied ' 
on the plains which his name has made immortal. Louis- 
burg is now desolate. Its walls were built of bricks brought 
from France. Twenty-five years andthirty millions of livres 
were spent in building it. It had nunneries, and palaces, 
and two hundred and six cannon were mounted to perpet- 
uate French dominion over it. Six thousand troops garri- 
soned its fortress, and a fleet of ships-of-the-line and frigates 
were moored in its waters. But yet, though all called it the 
' Dunkirk ' of America, because of its exceeding strength, it 
fell, — and now it is almost unknown that such a place 
existed. Its captors, by keeping the flag of France in its 
place, after they became its masters, decoyed and captured 



16 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

ships and cargoes worth some millions of dollars ; but now 
none but fishermen visit it, and they for shelter and for traf- 
fick. That such a city existed at so early a period in our 
history, is a marvel ; that such a city yielded to the farmers 
and fishermen of New England, is almost incredible. The 
lovers of the wonderful may read the works which contain 
accounts of its rise and ruin, and be satisfied that ' truth is 
sometimes stranger than fiction.' 

" The influence of the expedition to Louisburg has been 
felt ever since. "When, thirty years after it, the Northern 
Colonies became embroiled with the mother country, many 
of those who belonged to it were still alive. The confi- 
dence which their skill and success inspired was incalcu- 
lable. — When General Gage was fortifying Boston Neck, 
the American people, whose curiosity led them to watch 
the progress of the works, used to say that ' Gage's mud 
walls are nothing to old Louisburg's.' ' The drum that beat 
along the road to Lexington,' said Edward Everett, ' had 
been at Louisburg.' This is literally true. Gridley, who 
had laid out the works on Breed's or Bunker Hill, on the 
night previous to the memorable 17th of June, was the 
engineer of the Colonial forces at the siege of Louisburg, — 
and many who rose to distinction in the Revolution, were 
associated with him in the same perilous enterprise. In 
truth, the biographers and letters of the men of the Revo- 
lution teem with incidents and allusions to this, — the great 
event of Colonial history." 

Mr. Curwen, in 1759, was appointed Lnpost Officer 
for Essex County, which office he filled for fifteen 
years, his commission being renewed at intervals of 
three years during that period. 

He was a member of a club instituted for improve- 
ment in philosophy and literature in his native town, 
in which originated the Social Library, in 1760, and the 
Philosophical Library, which were afterwards united, 
and became the foundation of the Athenaeum, in 1810. 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 17 

The meetings of this club were interrupted by the 
Revolution, but were resumed and continued many 
years afterwards. Among the members were Dr. 
Holyoke, (who was President of several literary and 
scientific societies, and died at the age of a hundred 
years and seven months, in 1829 ; and who, with the 
late Hon. Samson S. Blowers, Chief Justice of Nova 
Scotia, are the only alumni of Harvard University, 
out of thirty-six hundred graduates, that have arrived 
at that great age) ; Hon. Benjamin Lynde and Hon. 
Nathaniel Eopes, Judges of the Superior Court; Hon. 
Andrew Oliver, Judge of the Common Pleas ; William 
Pynchon, Esq., an eminent lawyer; Rev. William Mc- 
Gilchrist and Rev. Thomas Barnard ; Stephen Higgin- 
son, Esq., who afterwards removed to Boston; Hon. 
William Browne, Judge of the Superior Court, after- 
wards Governor of Bermuda; Col. Benjamin Pickman, 
Col. Peter Frye, and Thomas Robie, Esq. These gen- 
tlemen possessed literary attainments of a high order, 
and though ardently attached to their country, took 
different views of its interests. The last four, together 
with Mr. Curwen, in consequence of the spirit of per- 
secution which succeeded the battle of Lexington, fear- 
ing that the high-toned conduct of the people would 
bring ruin on their country, became Loyalist refugees, 
and retreated to England. A brief account of the state 
of affairs in the Colony of Massachusetts, at the period 
immediately preceding the Revolution, may serve as 
an appropriate introduction to the parties and events 
referred to in the following pages. 

We find, at the commencement of Governor Ber- 
nard's administration in Massachusetts, in 1760, the 
final reduction of the Canadas, causing a general jubi- 
lee throughout the continent; for the Colonists had 

2* 



18 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

only suffered from their French and Indian neighbors, 
and these being at length completely subdued, they 
felt that they could now sit under their own vines 
and fig-trees, having none to molest or to make them 
afraid. They had felt the burden of the Government 
less than any people who had received such benefits 
from it ; and it was a common aspiration in the public 
prayers of the day, that the civil and religious privi- 
leges they enjoyed might be transmitted to their pos- 
terity forever. In 1763, Mr. James Otis, (afterwards 
the great leader of opposition to Gov. Bernard's meas- 
ures,) in his address, as Moderator of the first town- 
meeting at Boston after the peace, remarked, that 
"no other constitution of civil government had yet 
appeared in the world so admirably adapted to the 
preservation of the great purposes of liberty and 
knowledge as that of Great Britain. Every person in 
America is, of common right, by Acts of Parliament, 
and the laws of God, entitled to all the essential privi- 
leges of Britons. The true interests of Great Britain 
and her Colonies are mutual, and what God in His 
providence has united, let no man dare attempt to 
pull asunder." 

There does not appear to have been any cause for 
dissatisfaction in the Colonies at that period, and there 
was no complaint of the invasion of the rights of the 
people by any of the Governments. Soon, however, 
the disturbances in England reached America, and the 
cry of " Wilkes and Liheriyl' in London, was echoed in 
Boston, and resounded through the Colonies. 

Accounts were received, before the session of the 
Legislature of Massachusetts, in 1764, that a bill had 
passed the House of Commons, imposing duties on 
articles heretofore exempted, which afforded a good 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 19 

opportunity to bring the officers of the Crown into 
disrepute, should they attempt to carry the law into 
effect. All who were desirous of keeping up the au- 
thority of law, were branded with the name of Tories ; 
their characters were assailed in the newspapers, and 
they were charged with promoting measures to re- 
strict the natural and chartered rights and liberties 
of the people. The law was attacked by Mr. Otis, in 
a pamphlet, in which he asks this question : " If taxes 
are laid in any shape, without our having a legal rep- 
resentative where they are made, are we not reduced 
from the character of subjects to the miserable state of 
tributary slaves ? " He allows the right of Parliament 
to tax the Colonies, provided they are represented ; 
and had not the Colonists soon after declared against 
it, this privilege would probably have been conceded ; 
for Mr. Grenville, and many influential members of the 
Government, acknowledged themselves in favor of the 
measure. On the passage of the Stamp Act, there ap- 
peared a general determination to oppose it through- 
out the Colonies ; and Mr. Andrew Oliver, afterwards 
Lieutenant-Governor, having been appointed distrib- 
utor of the stamps for Massachusetts, a mob ' attacked 
and destroyed a building lately erected by him, as was 
supposed, for a stamp-office ; on which he gave notice 
of his intention to resign, and never to act in that ca- 
pacity. Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson's house was 
the next evening attacked, with little damage ; but 
on the 26th August, 1765, his windows and doors were 
burst in, and every article of furniture and property 
that it contained destroyed, to the amount of twenty- 
four hundred pounds sterling, besides a great mass 
of public and private papers of inestimable value. 
From this time governmental power ceased in Boston. 



20 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

Smuggling had been extensively carried on at that 
port for years. In 1766, exertions were made, on 
the part of Government, to prevent this illegal traffic, 
by prosecuting the parties concerned, which induced 
the most abusive and licentious attacks on the Gov- 
ernor and all the officers of the Crown. False and 
groundless as these charges were, they gained too 
ready a credence with the people, as they were 
directed against their rulers. At length, however, 
Mr. Sewall, (afterwards Attorney-General,) in a series 
of papers signed PkilaMropos refuted the charges, and 
silenced the calumniators. 

The Stamp Act was repealed, and the duty on molas- 
ses reduced from od. to one penny per gallon ; and, for 
a short time, at the close of the year 1766, the Colonies 
reposed in tranquillity. This calm was, however, inter- 
rupted the next year by the refusal of the Assembly 
of New York to submit to Parliamentary authority, 
by making provision for quartering the King's troops. 
In 1768, the Governor laid before the Assembly of 
Massachusetts a letter from Lord Hillsborough, Secre- 
tary of State, directing him to dissolve the same unless 
an obnoxious vote, passed in February, should be re- 
scinded ; and this being refused, by a vote of 92 to 
17, the minority were ever after reproachfully termed 
" Rescinders." In Aj)ril, 1769, Governor Bernard re- 
ceived orders to embark for England ; and on his 
arrival, his conduct having met the approbation of 
the Administration, he was created a Baronet. He 
had been treated with great bitterness here, which, 
however, was owing in part to certain of his letters to 
England, in which he infers the necessity of the King's 
appointing a Royal Council instead of that elected by 
the people, and recommends an Act to authorize the 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 21 

King to supersede all commissions whicli had been 
issued to improper [i. e. disaffected) persons. The de- 
struction of the East India Company's tea at Boston, in 
1773, only was wanting by their leaders, to involve 
the body of the people in the same circumstances in 
which their course of opposition measures had placed 
them. 

The leading principles of the Kevolution, viz., a de- 
nial of the right of taxation by Parliament, a claim 
of the privilege of juries in admiralty courts, and the 
right of trial only in j^h'^ces where offences are com- 
mitted, should have been allowed to rest upon the 
broad basis of their respective merits. Private letters, 
surreptitiously obtained in England, written by Gov- 
ernor Hutchinson and Lieut.-Governor Oliver, (whose 
spotless lives, devoted, as they believed, to the best in- 
terests of their fellow-men, had acquired for them an 
almost unbounded influence,) were announced with 
great pomp and circumstance by legislative resolves; 
and garbled extracts were circulated, and unjust infer- 
ences drawn, before the letters themselves were per- 
mitted to be printed, which would have proved a suffi- 
cient antidote to the poison so invidiously diffused. 
The distemper, however, was much arrested by a series 
of papers, under the signature of PhiloletheSy from the 
pen of Mr. Sewall, developing the disguised craft and 
fallacies which pervaded this deep contrivance, and 
written with such moderation and candor that the 
calumniators thought it best to leave these pieces un- 
answered, and suffer the flame to die away, intending 
to keep the embers in reserve for raising a new flame 
at a more propitious time for their purposes. Gov- 
ernor Hutchinson^ had represented the transaction of 

1 See Supplement. 



22 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

the 5th of March, 1770, (commonly called the Boston 
Massacre,) in his letters to the Secretary of State, far 
more favorably for the town than the evidence at the 
trial afterwards warranted, yet the Assembly consid- 
ered him as inimical to the Province for conforming 
to his instructions, and withstanding their attempts to 
compel him to yield the prerogative of the Crown ; 
and the Conncil, instead of supporting him, sided with 
the House. The designs of particular persons to bring 
about a revolution and attain independency were ap- 
parent to the Governor, but he did not think it possi- 
ble that the people would be induced to declare for it. 

Under the discouragements of the times, Governor 
Hutchinson determined to visit England, and have at 
least a temporary relief; but before he received an 
answer to his request, his able and estimable coadjutor, 
Lieut.-Governor Oliver,-^ succumbed to the unwarranted 
attacks upon him, and fell a victim to wounded sensi- 
bility on the 3d of March, 1774. 

In a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, granting 
Governor Hutchinson's wished-for permission to visit 
England, dated April 9, 1774, he says : — 

" It is impossible you can have any doubt of the light 
in which your conduct on the late trying occasion is seen 
by the King and his servants. I cannot, however, content 
myself without repeating to you what cannot fail to give 
you the strongest consolation and satisfaction, that it is 
his Majesty's intention to testify his approbation of your 
services to all mankind by an early mark of his favor.^ 
This expectation will contribute much to alleviate the anx- 
iety of your mind, and to support you under any difficul- 

1 See Supplement. 

2 A baronetcy was offered Governor Hutchinson, and declined, which 
ought to satisfy his countrymen of the uprightness of his political motives. 



INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 23 

ties you may yet have to encounter ; but you will allow 
me to say, that to a mind like yours there are secret sources 
of tranquillity that are superior to such great and encour- 
aging considerations. The conscious sense which you pos- 
sess of an upright and unifrom regard to the duty of your 
situation, joined to a dispassionate and real concern for the 
welfare of the people over whom you preside, which equally 
appear throughout the correspondence that I have had with 
you, do at this moment, if I am not deceived in my opinion 
of you, supply you with that steadiness and fortitude which 
discover themselves in your firm and temperate conduct, 
and which, under such support, it is not in the power of the 
most unreasonable prejudice, or even of the most inveterate 
malice, to shake or intimidate." 

General Gage having arrived, with power to admin- 
ister the Government, Governor Hutchinson sailed on 
the 1st of June, 1774, for England. Before his de- 
parture, he had received addresses from a hundred and 
twenty merchants of Boston ; from all the gentlemen 
of the law, with few exceptions ; from the magistrates 
of Middlesex and Plymouth, and the principal gentle- 
men of Salem and Marblehead, all expressing entire 
approbation of his public conduct, and their affection- 
ate wishes for his prosperity. These addresses gave 
great offence to the disaffected portion of the commu- 
nity, and many of those who signed them, afterwards 
stigmatized as '^'■Addressers,''' were compelled by the 
people to make public recantations in the newspapers. 
Mr. Curwen, who had subscribed the Salem Address, 
declined to obey the popular voice, saying that the 
prescribed recantation contained more than in con- 
science he could own; and that as to live under the 
character of reproach which the fury of party might 
throw upon him, was too painful a reflection to suffer 



24 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 

for a moment ; he therefore resolved to withdraw from 
the impending storm. He accordingly embarked for 
Philadelphia on the 23d of April, 1775, and thence for 
London on the 13th of the following month. 

Of the families of the exiled Loyalists, scattered as 
they have been over the world, it is no small matter to 
obtain information. While some grace the peerage and 
baronetage of England, of many of the exiled Refugees 
scarce a descendant, even in a collateral branch, is to 
be found. Of the Loyalists that remained to run the 
risk of the spirit of the people, the task has been less 
difficult. 

Of the three hundred and ten that were banished 
by the Government of Massachusetts, upwards of sixty 
were graduates of Harvard College. And of the five 
Judges of the Supreme Court of that Province at the 
commencement of the difficulties, the Hon. William 
Gushing alone was of patriot principles, — who was 
afterwards on the bench of the Supreme Court of the 
United States. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



CHAPTER I. 



A. D. 1775-1776. Causes of the Author's Departure. His Arrival in 
Philadelphia. State of Affairs in that City. Perplexities of the )A\i- 
thor. He meets Col. Washington. Reception of Hancock and 
Adams. The Author sails for England. Arrives at Dover. Proceeds 
to London. Dines in company with Mrs. Copley, mother of Lord Lynd- 
hurst. Samuel Quincy, Jonathan Sewall, Benjamin Pickman. Let- 
ters to Rev. Thomas Barnard, William Pynchon, &c. Dines with Gov. 
Hutchinson. Visits Bow-street, Hampton Court, Windsor, Twickenham, 
Newington, &c. Destruction of Falmouth (now Portland), Maine. New 
England Club in London. Meets Sir Francis Bernard. Attends Ora- 
torio of Messiah at Covent Garden. Lecture at Salters' Hall by Dr. 
Price. Visits Chapter House. Doomsday-Book. Portuguese Syna- 
gogue West's Pictures. Tylney House. Lord Mansfield's Seat at 
Caen Wood. Great Bed of Ware. Rye House. Westminster Hall. 
Maddock's Garden. Pinchbeck's. Boar's-head Tavern. British Mu- 
seum. Duke of Bedford's Seat at Croydon. Rev. Dr. Apthorp. Rev. 
Mr. Peters. 

Philadelphia, May 4, 1775. Since the late unhappy affairs 
at Concord and Lexington, finding the spirit of the people to 
rise on every fresh alarm, (which has been almost hourly,) and 
their tempers to get more and more soured and malevolent 
against all moderate men, whom they see fit to reproach as 
enemies of their country by the name of Tories, among whom 
I am unhappily (although unjustly) ranked, and unable longer 
to bear their undeserved reproaches and menaces hourly de- 
nounced against myself and others, I think it a duty I owe 
myself to withdraw for awhile firom the storm which, to my 
foreboding mind, is approaching. Having in vain endeav- 

3 



26 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

ored to persuade my wife to accompany me, — her apprehen- 
sions of danger from an incensed soldiery, a people licentious 
and enthusiastically mad and broken loose from all the re- 
straints of law or religion being less terrible to her than a short 
passage on the ocean, — and being moreover encouraged by 
her, I left my late peaceful home (in my sixtieth year) in search 
of personal security and those rights which, by the laws of 
God, I ought to have enjoyed undisturbed there, and em- 
barked at Beverly on board the schooner Lively, Captain 
Johnson, bound hither, on Sunday, the 23d ultimo, and have 
just arrived, hoping to find an asylum amongst Quakers and 
Dutchmen, who, I presume, from former experience, have too 
great a regard for ease and property to sacrifice either, at this 
time of doubtful disputation, on the altar of an unknown god- 
dess, or rather doubtful divinity. 

My fellow-passengers w^ere Andrew Cabot,^ his wife and 
child, and Andrew Dodge.^ My townsman, Benjamin Good- 
hue,''^ was kind enough to come on board, and having made 
my kinsman and correspondent, Samuel Smith, acquainted 
with my arrival, he was pleased to come on board also, and 
his first salutation, " We will protect you, though a Tory^'^ em- 
barrassed me not a little ; but soon recovering my surprise, 
we fell into a friendly conversation, and he taking me to his 
house, I dined with his family and their minister, Mr. Sproat, 
suifering some mortification in the cause of truth. After an 
invitation to make his house my home during my stay here, 
which I did not accept, I took leave, and went in pursuit of 
lodgings, and on enquiring at several houses, ascertained they 
were full, or for particular reasons would not take me ; and 
so many refused as made it fearful whether, like Cain, I 
had not a discouraging mark upon me, or a strong feature 
of Toryism. The whole city appears to be deep in con- 
gressional principles, and inveterate against " Rutchinsonian 
Addressers^ Happily, we at length arrived at one Mrs. 
Swords', a widow lady, in Chestnut-street, with whom I 
found quarters, rendered more agreeable by S. Waterhouse's 
company, who also lodges here. 

1 Merchants of Beverly. 2 gge Supplement. 



JOUKNAL AND LETTERS. 27 

May 5, 1775. I find the drums beating, colors flyings and 
detachments of newly raised militia parading the streets ; — 
the whole country appears determined to assume a military 
character, and this city, throwing off her pacific aspect, is 
forming military companies, a plan being laid for thirty- 
three. Composed of all ranks and nations, uniting shoulder 
to shoulder, they form so many patriotic bands to oppose, 
like the invincible Macedonian phalanx, the progress and in- 
crease of Parliamentary authority. The Quakers, not to be 
behind in manifesting their aversion, have obtained permis- 
sion of the city committee to make up two companies of 
Frie7ids, exclusively, and they are to be commanded by 
Samuel Marshall and Thomas Mifflin,^ both of that per- 
suasion. 

So powerful is the love of liberty, and so gi'eat the dread 
of Ministerial designs, that the strongest prejudices and hab- 
its have given way and are controlled by the former. 

The House, this day, having received a message from 
the Governor, with Lord North's conciliatory plan, has, on a 
full debate, rejected it, being resolved to adhere to the Union. 

Joseph Lee,^ hearing I was in the city, came to see me, 
and advised my going to London. 

Mai/ 6, 1775. Sav^ Pelatiah Webster,^ who, at the in- 
stance of Mr. Goodhue, treats me civilly. Having had 
several intimations that my residence here would be un- 
pleasant, if allowed at all, when it shall be known that I 
am what is called " an Addresser ; " besides, solicited to sign 
" a recantation,^^ which may contain more than in conscience 
1 can subscribe ; and, after all, with the uncertainty whether 
it will answer the purpose, or, should it barely, to live and 
die. under the character of reproach and ignominy, which the 
outrageous fury of party may throw upon me, is a reflection 
too painful for a moment to support. I have, therefore, con- 
sulted the few friends I think it worth while to advise with, 

1 See Supplement. 2 Ibid. 

3 In July, 1774, this gentleman directed his correspondent at Boston to 
pay £10 to the committee for the relief of sufferers by the Boston Port 
Bill. 



28 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

and, on the result, am determined to proceed to London in 
the vessel in which I came here. 

On the credit of Samuel Smith and Sons, I have, with 
their assistance, procured flour to freight a vessel. 

May 7, 1775. — Sunday. Went with Mr. Smith to Arch- 
street Meeting-house ; Mr. Sproat entertained us with a truly 
American patriotic sermon, pathetically lamenting the evils 
we are suffering from wicked and tyrannical Ministers, ex- 
horting us manfully to oppose them. 

At 2 o'clock, at the wharf, a large collection of people were 
waiting news from London, — Capt. Robinson having just 
anchored. The only news was, that the Restraining Bill 
respecting New England, and the other respecting the South- 
ern Colonies, were passed. 

Dr. Franklin arrived last night, which was announced by 
ringing of bells, to the great joy of the city. I cannot but 
promise myself some good, as his knowledge and experience 
must have influence in the approaching Congress, which 
will, I doubt not, listen to his judgment. He is, it is said, 
to return to England again soon, at Lord Chatham's in- 
stance, who tells him he must be on the spot at the opening 
of Parliament. 

May 9, 1775. Dined with Stephen Collins ; passed the 
evening at Joseph Reed's,^ in company with Col. Wash- 
ington, (a fine figure, and of a most easy and agreeable 
address,) Richard Henry Lee, and Col. Harrison, — three of 
the Virginia delegates. Besides Mr. and Mrs. Reed, were 
Mrs. Deberdt,^ Dr. Shippen, and Thomas Smith. I staid till 
twelve o'clock, the conversation being chiefly on the most 
feasible and prudent method of stopping up the channel of 
the Delaware, to prevent the coming up of any large ships 
to the city. I could not perceive the least disposition to 
accommodate matters. 

Col. Caswell and Mr. Hewes, the North Carolina dele- 
gates, arrived this day, and are at our lodgings. 

1 See Supplement. 

2 The mother of Mrs. Reed, and widow of the Massachusetts Assembly 
Agent to the British Government. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 29 

May 10, 1775. Early in the morning a great number of 
persons rode out several miles, hearing that the Eastern dele- 
gates were approaching, when, about 11 o'clock, the caval- 
cade appeared (I being near the upper end of Fore-street) ; 
first two or three hundred gentlemen on horseback, preceded, 
however, by the newly-chosen city military officers, two and 
two, with drawn swords, followed by John Hancock and 
Samuel Adams, in a phaeton and pair, the former looking 
as if his journey and high living, or solicitude to support 
the dignity of the first man in Massachusetts, had im- 
paired his health. Next came John Adams and Thomas 
Gushing in a single horse chaise ; behind followed Robert 
Treat Paine, and after him the New York delegation, and 
some from the Province of Connecticut, etc., etc. The rear 
was brought up by a hundred carriages, the streets crowded 
with people of all ages, sexes, and ranks. The procession 
marched with a slow, solemn pace ; on its entrance into the 
city, all the bells were set to ringing and chiming, and every 
mark of respect that could be was expressed : — not much, 
I presume, to the secret liking of their fellow-delegates from 
the other Colonies, who, doubtless, had to digest the distinc- 
tion as easily as they could. 

May 11, 1775. Col. Caswell was inoculated for the small- 
pox. Mr. Lee again repeated his advice of my going to 
London. Dined with J. B. Smith ; rode with him to his 
farm, six miles out. Drank tea with Mr. Lee and Startin. 

May 12, 1775. Sent my baggage on board the Lively ; 
received a letter from Stephen Collins to Mr. Neat, of Lon- 
don ; paid my respects to Mrs. Deberdt, and received a letter 
to her son. Received my invoice of flour from Samuel 
Smith and Sons. Mr. Startin presented me with an open 
letter on Wilkinson and Co., Birmingham, and Mr. Reed 
and lady gave me letters to their brother, Dennis Deberdt, 
London. From Post-office took Rivington's two last news- 
papers, and received from the publishers all the present 
week's Philadelphia papers. Messrs. Lee and Webster took 
leave, and with my fellow-passenger, Mr. Webster's son Pe- 
latiah, I went on board the Lively. 

3* 



30 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

May 16, 1775. Spoke Capt. Waterman in a schooner from 
Nantucket, who brought me a letter from Nathan Goodale, 
stating that his family, Mr. Pynchon's, and Mr. Orne's, had 
arrived there, to which I replied. 



TO NATHAN GOODALE, ESQ. 

In the Delaware, May 16, 1775. 
Dear Sir : 

You can scarce conceive my joy at hearing that my neigh- 
bors, suffering in the same cause as myself, and for whom I 
sincerely profess a friendship, were in a secure retreat. Con- 
tinue there by all means, safe from the alarms and dangers 
you have fled from. 

Philadelphia is wholly American, — strong friends to Con- 
gressional measures; at least, no man is hardy enough to 
express a doubt of the feasibility of their projects. Mr. Joseph 
Lee leads a recluse life there. The inhabitants are displeased 
that the New Englanders make it their city of refuge. The 
new established post (instead of the old Eastern one which is 
stopped) admits no letters to pass but those franked ; the 
contents of which must be known to one of the committee 
to be entitled to that benefit. Yours, truly. 

Saml. Curwen. 

June 1, 1775. At sea. The Otter sloop-of-war, from Bos- 
ton, brought us to at 9 o'clock, and informed us all was quiet 
when she left. The Provincial forces, amounting to fifteen 
thousand men, were waiting the determination of the Con- 
gress ; that forty-five transports with the three Generals, had 
arrived there eight days ago ; and that a great fire happened 
there, beginning at the barrack stores on the docks, and 
consuming all from thence to King-street. She detained us 
two hours in order to send letters to England. 

July 3, 1775. Arrived at Dover, England, at 11 o'clock, A. 
M. Mr. Webster and myself concluded to take coach for 
London after visiting the Castle. We first ascended to one 
of the square towers, in height 134 steps, from which in a 
clear day the French shore is to be seen, and a most agreea- 
ble view into the country. The town of Dover seems under 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 31 

foot, and even the steeples scarce as high as the foot of the 
hill. We next visited Julius Cesar's Tower, (said to have 
been built by him,) old and in ruins ; on the plains of it is a 
battery of twenty-four pounders, — one of brass, 24 feet long, 
called Queen Elizabeth's Pocket-piece, given her by Holland 
at the time of its emancipation from Spain. It is curiously 
ornamented with the Arms of England and Holland, was 
cast in 1544, weighs six tons, and carries a twelve-pound 
shot seven miles. The well is 375 feet deep. The original 
key, supposed to be eighteen hundred years old, is 21 inches 
long, and weighs three or four pounds. We also saw a sword 
of state five feet long, the handle twelve inches. At the 
Coffee-house met James Teal, a son of the widow of the late 
Gov. Belcher, of Massachusetts, by her first husband. He 
wished to convey intelligence of his residence here to his 
mother in New England ; his letters have miscarried for some 
time past. 

London, July 4. Arrived at the New England CofFee-House, 
Threadneedle-street, at 7 o'clock, P. M., July 5. Met my 
townsman and friend, Benjamin Pickman, which rejoiced me; 
we walked to Westminster Hall ; in Chancery, saw Sir 
Thomas Sewell, Master of the Rolls, sitting with his hat on ; 
at Common Pleas, saw Judge Blackstone and Sergeant 
Glynn ; and the King's Bench, Lord Mansfield and Mr. 
Sergeant Wedderburne. Lord Mansfield's manner is like 
the late Judge Dudley's, of Massachusetts. His peering eyes 
denote a penetration and comprehension peculiarly his own. 
Mr. Wedderburne spoke, but at no great length. 

July 9, 1775. Went to Old Jewry Meeting-house, where 
I met Gov. Hutchinson, his son and daughter, — a cordial 
reception and invitation to visit him. Mr. Isaac Smith and 
Mr. Deberdt sat in the pew next me. 

TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM. 

London, July 7, 1775. 
Dear Sir : 

I am glad for the calm season at Salem; — could I have 

been safe on the same conditions I find my friends permitted 



32 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

to reside at home, I would joyfully have accepted them. 
However, this calm I fear cannot last long ; for if Congress 
does not offer terms that Administration think they can 
in honor accept, I have good grounds for saying the most 
vigorous measures will be pursued, which I fear will cause 
the destruction of my country. There is an army of New 
Englanders here. My old friend Mr. Sayre, a city banker, 
married to a lady of fortune, invited me to dine with him, in 
company with my friend Mr. Deberdt. 

Let Mr. and Mrs. Cabot know that her niece, Mrs. Copley,^ 
with whom I dined yesterday at Mr. Bromfield's, Islington, 
is well, and expects her husband on his passage from Italy. 

Yours, truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

July 11, 1775. Waited upon Governor Hutchinson, (in 
company with B. Pickman,) for the first time ; were well 
received, and invited to dinner for Saturday. 

July 18, 1775. Evening to Vauxhall Gardens ; fine grav- 
elled walks, shrubbery, and covered alcoves lighted by lamps, 
and rendered a most enchanting spot. Tables spread under 
the trees for entertainment. In one of the open retreats is a 
most finished piece of statuary of Handel, sitting on a harp, 
in a loose dress. 

July 20, 1775. To J. Lane's house with B. Pickman; 
passed the evening there in company with Samuel Quincy, 
Jonathan Sewall, and David Green. 

July 21, 1775. By boat from Temple Stairs to Ranelagh ; 
a numerous company of well-dressed people there ; among 
them the Duke of Gloucester and French Ambassador. 

July 22, 1775. Spent the day at Hempsted, in company 
with Isaac Smith, Samuel Quincy, David Green, and P. 
Webster. 

1 Wife of the great artist. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 33 

TO REV. THOMAS BARNARD, SALEM. 

London, 22JJM7y, 1775. 
Dear Sir : 

The dissipation, self-forgetfulness, and vicious indulgences 
of every kind, which characterize this metropolis, are not to 
be wondered at. The temptations are too great for that de- 
gree of philosophy and religion ordinarily possessed by the 
bulk of mankind. The unbounded riches of many afford the 
means of every species of luxury, which, (thank God,) our 
part of America is ignorant of; and the example of the 
wealthy and great is contagious. Ten miles round is filled 
with pleasant villas, and Sunday is allotted to visiting them. 
The congregation at Old Jewry Meeting-house, respectable 
for its appearance, did not exceed a hundred. The preacher 
is called a Presbyterian, and all of that denomination here 
are on a broader and more liberal plan of divinity than those 
who go by the name of Independents, such as the " Pinner's 
Hall Divines " and their associates. The style of the 
preachers in London (of our way) is more just and correct 
than ours in New England. To my surprise I saw an audi- 
tor taking notes. Notes for prayer or thanksgivings are never 
read, and the mention of such cases is deferred to the last 
prayer. Admission to the pews is by a female, who unlocks 
the doors, (all having locks) ; strangers are conducted to 
the table-pew in the centre, where the sacrament is admin- 
istered. 

* # * * «.* * * 

TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM. 

London, 2bth July, 1775. 
Dear Sir : 

I dropped in at Guildhall, where Judge Nares was sitting 
at the City Common Pleas ; on his cushion were worked 
the city arms, and also on the Recorder's, — I presume to 
remind them of the city rights. I was fortunate in procur- 
ing a seat just behind Sergeant Davy, and heard as far as 
my imperfect organs (and the noise and confusion) would 
admit. While he was opening the case, he was obliged to 



34 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

rise out of his seat, step forward, and lean down to hear, in 
a manner unbecoming the dignity of a Judge. Every fact 
of importance delivered by a witness was noted down by 
the Judge as well as counsel. The noise was much greater 
than would be allowed in our American courts. 

I have seen the Lord Mayor in his court ; but this court 
seems more like a reference business than anything else. 
Through uncommon good fortune, I have, without the cus- 
tomary delay of two or three weeks, been admitted into the 
British Museum, Montague House, a truly royal institution 
for the preservation of the productions of nature and art. 
Saw the first Bible printed by authority, on vellum, and 
turning to the 91st Psalm, 5th verse, instead of " Thou shalt 
not be afraid of the terrors by night" etc., I saw the follow- 
ing : " Thou shalt not fear the bugs and vermin by night," etc. 
There are many other as remarkable differences, but had not 
time to examine many texts. 

I am just informed of a most melancholy event, the de- 
struction of Charlestown, in Massachusetts, by the King's 
troops, which all agree in ; the other parts of the story are 
told differently. Mr. Brecknock says the King's troops 
would not fight, but laid down their arms, which is the 
reason of the great carnage among the officers. My distress 
and anxiety for my friends and countrymen embitter every 
hour. May it please God to inspire men of influence on 
either side the Atlantic with juster sentiments of the real 
interest of Great Britain and the Colonies than they seem 
to have possessed hitherto. Yours, truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

JuJy 27. Dined at Mr. ■ Sayre's, in company with four 
gentlemen and Lady Francis Sherard, only daughter of the 
late Earl of Harborough ; returned home in Mr. Sayre's 
coach. 

July 28. By invitation, dined at Grocers' Company feast, 
at their hall in the Poultry. A procession was formed after 
dinner (band playing), and halted behind the chair of the 
new elected master, when the secretary put a tiara on his 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 35 

head, while another officer held a large golden cup filled 
with wine, drank to him, and delivered it ; and the master, 
on taking it, drank to the prosperity of the company. The 
ceremony was also had towards the newly made wardens. 

July 29. Dined with Governor Hutchinson, in company 
with Mr. Joseph Green, Mr. Mauduit, and Mr. Ward Nicho- 
las Boylston ; the latter gave us an entertaining narrative 
of his travels through Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. 

July 30. Sunday attended worship at Dr. Fordyce's meet- 
ing-house, Monkwell-street. He discoursed with great en- 
ergy and pathos, abounding with flowers of rhetoric, met- 
aphor, and with uncommon theatric gesture, equal if not 
beyond Mr. Whitefield. 

In the vestry-room is hanging the original license from 
Charles H. to Mr. Doolittle for this present house of wor- 
ship. Took tea with Dr. Fordyce, at Mr. Kennedy's, and 
passed an agreeable hour in conversation. 

August 3. Walked along Hyde Park wall till arrived at 
the turnpike between that and the Green Park ; at the gate 
of the former stands a noble house, buUt by the present 
Lord Chancellor Apsley,^ on ground taken out of the park, 
and given him by the King for that purpose. Saw their 
Majesties returning from the drawing-room : the King in a 
sedan chair surmounted by a crown, dressed in very light 
cloth with silver buttons ; the Queen carried by two porters 
in a chair, dressed in lemon-colored flowered silk, on a light 
cream-colored ground. They passed between two lines ; ob- 
served, smiled, and bowed as they passed. 

TO DR. JOHN PRINCE, HALIFAX. 

London, August 4, 1775. 
Dear Sir : 

I presume you little expected to hear from a fellow suf- 
ferer in the cause of loyalty, a whole army of whom are 
here lamenting their own and their country's unhappy fate. 
I heard of your escape, and a circumstance connected with 
it, that must render your existence more tolerable, viz. : that 

1 Afterwards Earl Bathurst. 



36 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

you were accompanied by your wife and children ; and I 
cordially rejoice in your and their deliverance from the evils 
which attend our common friends in Salem, and elsewhere 
in New England. What melancholy scenes they and we 
are to go through before this unnatural controversy is ended, 
God only knows ! — May you and I be prepared for the 
worst events. If any of our common friends are in Hal- 
ifax, be pleased to remember me to them in the kindest 
manner. Our old friend, Ben. Pickman, desires to be remem- 
bered to you. With much regard, etc., 

S. CURWEN. 

August 4. At Mr. Boylston's saw many curiosities he 
brought from Egypt, the Holy Land, etc. Amongst others 
the locust in pods, the supposed food of John the Baptist. 

August 5. Dined at Gov. Hutchinson's, in company with 
Joseph Hooper, Benjamin Pickman, Joseph Taylor, Isaac 
Smith, Mr. Silsbee, and the Governor's family. 

August 6. At Old Jewry Meeting-house — communion 
day — in which service Governor Hutchinson, his son 
Elisha, Mr. Pickman, and myself participated. The min- 
ister brought the elements, and repeated to each commu- 
nicant some pertinent expression of Scripture, waiting till 
each had received. 

TO NATHAN GOODALE, ESQ., NANTUCKET. 

London, August 8, 1775. 
Deak Sik: 

It really appears to me that Administration will proceed 

to such extremities as will terminate in the ruin of England 

and the Colonies. It is a capital mistake of our American 

friends to expect insurrections here ; there is not a shadow 

of hope for such an event. The manufactories are in full 

employ, and one of the warmest of the friends of America 

told me that letters from Manchester expressed joy that no 

American orders had been sent, otherwise there must have 

been disappointment somewhere. What effects may follow 

in the spring if orders from Russia and Spain are not re- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 37 

ceived, I cannot foresee : — some foretell discontent in the 
country which will affect the stocks ; whether these will 
happen depends on contingencies of which I am not a judge. 
There appears to be a tenderness in the minds of many here 
for America, even of those who disapprove of the principles 
of an entire independence of the British Legislature, and ar- 
dently wish an effort may be taken to accommodate. It is 
said most vigorous measures will take place in the spring 
if no offer be made on the part of the Colonists. 

With much regard, etc. S. Curwen. 

August 23, 1775. Went to Sir John Fielding's office, 
Bow-street ; — examination of prisoners for robberies, as- 
saults, etc. He is a venerable gentleman and blind (as 
justice is represented) ; his queries manifested a mild de- 
portment, ready apprehension, and great penetration. Vis- 
ited Hampton Court and Gardens, which are exceedingly 
beautiful, although deserted by the Royal family. Here are 
chairs of state with rich canopies, tapestry in gold and silver 
grounds, containing Scripture and ancient stories of Greece 
and Rome — adorned also with reigning beauties of the 
Court of Charles II. — of the founders of the different Orders 
of monks, friars, nuns, etc. ; of former kings, queens, etc. ; 
Madonnas, the Supper, etc. The ceilings in high coloring 
and fine preservation, by Verrio, were as pleasing to me as 
any part of the ornaments, as they referred to incidents in 
Charles Il.d's story. This palace consists of several squares, 
mostly old, and in same state (decay of time excepted) as 
in Henry Vlll.th's time, when by the envy of the courtiers 
Cardinal Wolsey (who built it for his own use) was obliged 
to present it to the King. The front on the garden facing 
the river is magnificent and in good repair. 

Thence to Windsor ; — St. George's Chapel in excellent 
repair. Here are deposited the bodies of Henry VIII. and 
one of his queens, and Charles I. in the midst of the choir. 
In the side aisles are funeral monuments of former kings, 
of which I recollect Edward IV. and VI. ; some ancient 
nobility, and many canons of the Roman Church, with their 

4 



38 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

images in sacerdotal garments cut in brass, let into flat 
gravestones on the floor ; stalls for the knights of the gar- 
ter; the choir decorated with carvings, and the windows 
filled with oil paintings of Scripture stories. We then as- 
cended the royal apartments in the castle, consisting as at 
Hampton Court of an armory, the walls being covered with 
pikes, halberds, matchlocks, small arms, etc, disposed in a 
variety of figures. Over the mantel-piece a fine full length 
of George Prince of Denmark (husband of Queen Anne) 
on horseback; the horse seemed alive. The other rooms 
hung in rich tapestry on gold and other grounds, with paint- 
ings, originals, and copies of the best masters. In Queen 
Anne's china-closet were wooden sconces gilt, on which are 
set china porcelain jars of various shapes up to the ceiling. 
In a small apartment is to be seen a table fastened to the 
wall, whereon is a little flag of white satin, with the banner 
of France worked into it, fastened by silver clasps to a 
slender reed of black ebony capped with silver, which the 
Duke of Marlborough is obliged to present, and Jay on that 
spot on the 2d of August annually, before twelve o'clock 
at mid-day, on forfeiture of his palace of Blenheim and the 
manor belonging to it ; this being the tenure by which he 
holds them, agreeably to Act of Parliament. From the ter- 
race we saw almost under feet Eton College, another noble 
monument of Gothic architecture. In a square stands a 
brazen statue of Henry VI., the founder, in royal robes. 

Visited Welbore Ellis's seat at Twickenham, formerly 
Pope's ; the grotto, being arches under the house about a 
man's height, (admitting a prospect into the longest shady 
contemplative walk, five feet wide, in the garden,) filled with 
small flint-stones, Bristol and other kinds in mortar, a few 
pieces of glass on the top and sides : two or three niches 
filled with the busts of Pope and others ; — there is also in 
a cross aUey a statue of Terence, and in an addition (made 
by Mr. Stanhope, late owner,) over the centre of an arch, is 
a niche filled with a bust of Pope, and underneath are the 
following lines : — 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. . 39 

" The humble roof; the garden's scanty line, 
111 spoke the genius of a bard divine ; 
But fiincy now displays a fairer scope, 
And Stanhope's plans unfold the soul of Pope." 

Mr. Stanhope's addition is by far the most elegant part, 
wherein are many foreign trees, such as the cedar of Leb- 
anon, weeping willows, etc. ; also a green-house filled with 
flowers, plants, and fruits. In a retired part of the grounds 
stands a plain obelisk, eighteen feet high, dedicated by Pope 
to his mother, with the following inscription : — 

"Ah EDITHA! 
MAT RUM OPTIMA, 

mulierum amantissima, 

Vale!"i 

to hon. william browne, boston. 

London, Zlst Aug. 1775. 
Dear Sir : 

As far as my experience reaches, I have observed that the 
upper ranks, most of the capital stockholders, and I am told 
the principal nobility, are for forcing supremacy of Parlia- 
ment over the Colonies ; and from the middle ranks down are 
opposed to it. America furnishes matter for disputes in cof- 
fee-houses, sometimes warm, but without abuse or ill nature, 
and there it ends. It is unfashionable and even disreputable 
to look askew on one another for difference of opinion in 
political matters ; the doctrine of toleration, if not better un- 
derstood, is, thank God, better practised here than in Amer- 
ica ; otherwise there would not be such numbers of unhappy 
exiles suffering every disadvantage. 

Incredible quantities of ammunition and stores shipped 
and shipping from Tower-wharf for America, manifests the 
intention of administration to prosecute the plan of subjec- 
tion of the Colonies to the authority of Parliament ; for that 
is the only dispute, as it is understood here. Administration 
would gladly have met the Colonies half way or more, had 

1 " Alas ! Editha, best of Mothers, most affectionate of Women, Fare- 
well ! " 



40 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

there appeared any inclination to accept terms in any degree 
consistent with the honor and dignity of the mother country. 
Now, no alternative ; an absolute independence of the Col- 
onies on Great Britain, or an explicit acknowledgment of 
the British Legislature over all the dominions of the empire. 
The proclamation which you will receive by this conveyance 
was published the day before yesterday at the Royal Ex- 
change, with all the circumstances of indignity the Lord 
Mayor could throw on it. 

Instead of the languid measures hitherto pursued, more 
active ones will succeed, and then woe to poor Massachusetts, 
which, like the scape-goat, must bear the sins of many. Do 
urge our remaining friends to flee from the destruction that 
will speedily overtake that devoted Colony. 

You will not wonder at the luxury, dissipation and profli- 
gacy of manners said to reign in this capital, when you con- 
sider that the temptation to indulgence, from the lowest 
haunts to the most elegant and expensive rendezvous of the 
noble and polished world, are almost beyond the power of 
numbers to reckon up. 

Please make my compliments to Judge Sewall, and all 
other friends and acquaintances with you ; and in the kind- 
est manner remember me to Mrs. Browne. 

Very truly your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Sept. 17. Attended public worship at the " Reformed Lit- 
urgy Assembly," Essex House, Essex-street, Strand ; heard 
Rev. Theophilus Lindsey, the Unitarian reformist, who gave 
up a living in Yorkshire, (worth three hundred a year,) 
on the rejection of the petition to Parliament for a revisal 
and amendment of the Common Prayer. Preacher serious, 
style good, discourse useful. 

Sept. 20. At the Charter House, a foundation by Thomas 
Sutton, Esq., at a cost of £12,000 sterling, for classically 
educating forty boys, and supporting eighty old bachelors 
and widowers, who are to receive yearly a black cloak, with- 
out which never to appear at meals, nor with it without the 



JOURNAL AND. LETTERS. 41 

walks; — besides ten pounds in cash, house-rent, food, and 
firing. They have about forty acres (enclosed by a brick 
wall twenty feet high) laid out in gardens ; at the entrance 
are the arms of the donor, formed by small pebbles of the 
size of acorns. 

Sept. 21. At the Disputation Club, Queen's Arms ; ques- 
tion debated, " Is it not injustice in the Administration to pur- 
sue measures at the cost of the price of blood, without any ben- 
efit to the nation ? " — which was voted in the affirmative, but 
not without a few dissentients. 

Oct. 11. Governor Hutchinson came in his coach with 
Mr. Copley from Mr. Bromfield's, and took Mr. Pickman 
and myself to his house, where we dined in company with 
Mr. Bliss, Mr. W. N. Boylston, Mrs. Copley, and the family. 

Nov. 18. News by a packet from New York that Gov. 
Try on and Gov. Campbell are obliged to retreat from their 
respective Governments on shipboard ; and that Dr. Franklin 
had arrived at the Provincial camp at Cambridge to advise 
Gen. Washington to attempt the lines on the Neck; — and 
that Samuel Adams and Mr. Dickinson were at odds. 

Nov. 29. Saw Mr. Garrick in Hamlet, at Drury Lane ; in 
my eye more perfect in the expression of his face than in the 
accent and pronunciation of his voice, which, however, was 
much beyond the standard of his fellow actors. 

Dec. 1. At great St. Helen's, Bishopgate-street, where I 
saw a monument to Sir Thomas Bancroft, a Lord Mayor's 
officer, and an oppressive knave, who had heaped up much 
wealth, which he left with trustees to be improved till his 
rising from the dead ; which he imagined would take place 
after a certain period, when his wealth was to be returned to 
him. In the mean time, he ordered that his corpse should be 
laid and kept in a coffin, (with a lock which he could draw 
back,) and deposited in a tomb with a glass window and a 
glass door, to be opened once a year on a given day, to be 
shown to any spectator ; all which has been complied with 
hitherto. But his trustees have with these ill-gotten gains 
erected an alms-house at Mile-end, for the support of poor 
women and children. 

4* 



42 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Made another unsuccessful attempt to enter the gallery of 
the House of Commons, to hear the third and last reading of 
the bill prohibiting all commerce with America ; learned at 
the door that it is to remain shut to strangers, for the pre- 
tended reason that the floor of the house is too small and 
the gallery necessary for the use of members ; confirmed 
by Mr. George Hayley, a city member, whom I met in the 
Strand. 

Thence to Herald's office, where Parson Peters, with his 
friend Mr. Punderson, lodges ; the latter has lately arrived 
from Boston, having escaped by rowing himself in a cock- 
boat eighteen miles into the Sound from his native place, 
Norwich, Connecticut, and being taken up by a vessel and 
put on board the Rose man-of-war, Capt. Wallace, and con- 
veyed to Boston. It seems he was harshly dealt with by 
the " Sons of Liberty,'" being obliged to make two confessions 
to save his life ; notwithstanding which he was hunted, pur- 
sued, and threatened, and narrowly escaped death, (or the 
Simsbury mines, to which he was finally adjudged, and he 
thinks with the loss of his eyes,) which would have been his 
fate but for his seasonable and providential retreat. 

TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, BOSTON. 

London, Dec. 4th, 1775. 
Dear Sir: 

Yours of 7th Oct. affords me a pleasingly sensible proof 
of the truth of King Solomon's observation : " News from a 
far country is as refreshing as cold water to a thirsty soul." 

Uncertain what may be the fate of this, I am restrained 
from writing what might prove amusing, perhaps informing; 
should it fall short of its intended destination, and get into 
the hands of the Provincials, though containing nothing pre- 
judicial to the interests of America, even in their own view, 
nor reflecting on the character of any individual, the most 
innocent expressions, by the force of party prejudice, might 
be construed into a sense entirely foreign to one's intention, 
and render one obnoxious or ridiculous. Were I ever so 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 43 

much of a mind to write on politics, I profess not to have 
such connections as to justify any positive declarations con- 
cerning the determination of the Cabinet Council, and who- 
ever does, you may be assured, if he writes more than the 
Court pleases to publish in the " Gazette," arrogates preten- 
sions, to which he has no claim. 

I will just hint what appears to be a matter of notoriety 
here : the opposition in Parliament is too inconsiderable in 
numbers, weight, and measures to hinder the progress of Ad- 
ministration in their plans respecting America. Both Houses 
repose entire confidence in the King and his Ministers' resolu- 
tion not to relinquish the idea of compelling the submission 
of all subjects within the limits of the British Empire to the 
authority of the supreme legislature : preparations for which 
are making for increasing the number of troops, to be sent over 
in time enough for a vigorous push next season. The events 
of war are uncertain, and victory is by many thought doubt- 
ful, — yet it is more than whispered by some that America 
had better be dispeopled than remain in its present state of 
anarchy, — much more independent. Should this idea reg- 
ulate future measures, and should Government despair of sub- 
duing them, one may, without the spirit of prophecy, see 
beforehand what terrible destructive evils will then befall our 
poor, devoted, once happy country. " O fortunatus," etc. 

Very truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

Dec, 12. To Newington to view the house and grounds 
of Dr. Watts' friend Gunston, celebrated in his poem " Sa- 
cred to Virtue,''^ now owned by a daughter of Lady Abney, a 
niece of Gunston. 

In the hall is a half-length of Caryl, the commentator on 
Job, and by his side his wife, mother of Mr. Gunston and 
Lady Abney; also Sir Thomas Abney and his lady. To 
Dr. Watts' study, being occupied by the lady, we could not 
gain admittance. From the balcony we had extensive views 
of the town and country, and through and over the whole, as 
well as the house, are spread a neatness and arrangement 
superior to any spot I ever beheld. 



44 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Dec. 15. At Covent Garden, to see Mrs. Barry as Con- 
stance in King John, — a fine person, and esteemed the best 
actress now on the stage. 

Dec. 17. At Foundling Hospital Chapel. Mr. Bromley 
preached. Compared the example of Jesus with that of the 
most perfect of heathen antiquity, Zeno, founder of the Stoic 
sect, in whose honor Athens declared by public edict, that he 
had exemplified in his life the precepts he taught, but of 
whose inconsistency the preacher enumerated several gross 
instances, not much to the credit of mere human reason, in 
comparison with the most eminent and brightest of mere 
men recorded in the Scriptures, in whom great infirmities 
and even follies are to be perceived ; his example only, pure 
and spotless, being fit to be proposed to mankind for their 
practice and imitation. 

Dec. 18. At New England Coffee- House, where I read in 
the New- York paper that forts St. John and Chambl^ had 
surrendered to the Provincials, commanded by Col. Mont- 
gomery, formerly a captain in the regular service, and well 
esteemed. The garrison was commanded by Major Preston, 
with six hundred Regulars and Canadians. The Provincials 
immediately investing the fort were only two hundred in 
number. The officers are to be sent home or down to Gen- 
eral Gage, the Commander-in-Chief in America, in order to be 
transported. The Provincials are supposed to be designed 
for Montreal, Gen. Carleton retiring there after a defeat. 
News of a contrary kind is, that Falmouth,^ in Casco Bay, 
consisting of 139 dwelling-houses and 278 stores, ware- 
houses, etc., together with many vessels, was burnt by Cap- 
tain Mowatt, of the Canseau sloop-of-war, after two hours 
notice to remove, for joining, as the captain was pleased in 
his letter to the inhabitants to term it, with the Rebels ; the 
particular crime or crimes not mentioned. 

Dec. 22. Walked to Brompton-Row with B. Pickman, to 
dine with Judge Sewall, who, meeting us in the Strand two 
days ago, appointed this day. The family, besides Samuel 
Quincy, who attended Mrs. Sewall and Mrs. Green home, 

1 Now Portland, Maine. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 45 

having been to see the King robe and assent to the American 
Prohibitory Bill from the throne. After dinner, Governor 
Hutchinson entered and invited Judge Sewall, B. Pickman, 
and myself to dine with him to-morrow. 

Dec. 23. At Temple Bar took coach to Governor Hutch- 
inson's, where dined in company with Mr. Joseph Green, 
Mr. Copley, the limner, and lady with family, and his chil- 
dren. In our way through Clerkenwell Green we saw five 
couple of young persons chained together, going under care 
of tipstaves to Bridewell prison. The news of the taking of 
St. John and Chambl^ on Sorel River confirmed by an arrival 
from Quebec which left 14th November. 

Dec. 25. At Chapel Royal, St. James's ; saw the King 
and Queen, who joined in the services with becoming devo- 
tion. Bishop of London preached. 

Mr. R. Clarke arrived from Boston yesterday, only twenty- 
one days' passage. All safe at Salem. The Provincials have 
seized a ship with five hundred casks gunpowder, cannon, 
mortars, and stores de guerre et de bouche ; their activity 
and success is astonishing. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, IN LONDON. 

Islington, December 27, 1775. 
My Dear Sir : 

I last evening received your favor of the 24th inst., and it 
afforded me great pleasure to observe that a weekly New 
England Club was likely to be made up ; and I am mortified 
that the extreme coldness of the weather, and the indisposi- 
tion I have labored under for several weeks, prevent my 
being in town this day. Be pleased to make my compli- 
ments to my brother exiles. Yesterday I received letters 
from Salem of 18th and 20th November ; all was well and 
quiet there, except a small fracas on account of an expres- 
sion said to have been uttered by Mr. Timothy Orne, which 
gave offence to the ruling powers of the town, who assembled 
and by force took him out of his house into School-street in 
the evening, designing to inflict the modern punishment of 
tarring and feathering on him ; but by the influence of the 



46 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Committee of Safety and his promise to appear before the 
Committee next morning, he was suffered to depart. Accord- 
ingly, the next morning, he appeared in person ; and he to 
whom it was reported he had used the expression appearing 
and denying it, promising to submit to the present Govern- 
ment, pay the taxes required for support of it, and demean 
himself quietly and submissively, and take care to avoid for 
the future making use of unadvised expressions, his present 
offence should be forgiven. 

Mr. Lowell, of Newburyport, is an acting Justice, the only 
one of the " Addressers " commissioned. The Inferior Court 
Bench in Essex is filled by Caleb Cushing, B. Greenleaf, 
Timothy Pickering, Jr., and Dr. Samuel Holton ; the last 
but one is the only acting Justice in our part of the county. 
Joshua Ward and John Gardner are in commission of the 
peace. On the Supreme Bench, John Adams, William Cush- 
ing, William Reed, and Peasely Sargent, all of whom, 't is 
said, accept. Major Hawley refuses all employment, saying 
what he did was purely to serve his country. 

Very truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

Dec. 31. Went to Holloway Mount, passing through 
King John's palace-spot ; nothing standing but the original 
front gateway, under an arch and two pieces of old stone 
wall, man-height, making part of the wall of stable. Even- 
ing at Silver-street Meeting-house lecture ; Mr. Smith pathet- 
ically addressed the young, middle-aged, arid old, on the 
close of the year. 

May the afflictions I have suffered the past year, in an un- 
happy banishment from my family, friends, and country, be 
the means of increasing my reliance on, and submission to 
the all-disposing hand of the wise and righteous Governor of 
the universe. 

Jan. 1, 1776. May the events of the following year, how- 
ever unfavorable to the pride of my heart, be productive of 
more moral improvement than the last. 

Jan. 5. Visited Joseph Green — afterwards to Samuel 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 47 

Quincy's, where I met Mr. Flucker, Judge Sewall and lady, 
Samuel Sewall, and Harrison Gray, who are bound to the 
theatre to see the " Jubilee," which is to be exquisitely deco- 
rated in the scenery. 

Jan. 20. Accompanied by B. Pickman and Wm. Cabot, 
went to Panton-street, Haymarket, to see Mr. Fisher, lately 
arrived from America ; he had gone out as well as Mr. 
Flucker. From thence we went to Gov. Hutchinson's, and 
after a short stay departed through the Park to Samuel 
Quincy's and David Green's lodgings, Parliament-street, 
where we met Judge Sewall, Mr. Samuel Sewall, Mr. 
Flucker, Mr. Harrison Gray, and Mr. Oxnard; R. Clarke, 
and Jonathan Clarke going out of the door, whom I saw for 
the first time since their arrival. 

Jan. 26. Received a line from Mr. Isaac Smith, inviting 
me to a dinner at the Adelphi Tavern, designed as an intro- 
duction to a New England Club, which I have been long 
desirous of establishing. 

Jan. 28. Almost as cold as ever I felt in New England. 
Jan. 29. Cold without abatement from yesterday, which 
will ever be known as the cold Sunday ; 8a by Fahrenheit. 
The Thames passed over on the ice : generous collections 
for the suffering poor. The gains of the laborer are almost 
always spent on Sunday at furthest ; foresight and provision 
for a future day is not a virtue known among them. The 
fires here not to be compared to our large American ones of 
oak and walnut, nor near so comfortable ; would that I was 
away ! 

Feb. 1. To the Adelphi, Strand, where by appointment 
met twenty-one of my countrymen, who have agreed on a 
weekly dinner here, viz. : 

Messrs. Richard Clark, Joseph Green, Jonathan Bliss, Jon- 
athan Sew^all, Joseph Waldo, S. S. Blowers, Elisha Hutch- 
inson, William Hutchinson, Samuel Sewall, Samuel Quincy, 
Isaac Smith, Harrison Gray, David Greene, Jonathan Clark, 
Thomas Flucker, Joseph Taylor, Daniel Silsbee, Thomas 
Brinley, William Cabot, John S. Copley, and Nathaniel Cof- 
fin. Samuel Porter, Edward Oxnard, Benj. Pickman, Jno. 



48 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Amory, Judge Robert Auchmuty and Major Urquhart, absent, 
are members of this New England Club, as is also Gov. 
Hutchinson. 

London, Feb. 9. Passing through Westminster Hall, I 
stopped for a small space at the Courts of Common Pleas 
and King's Bench ; at the former were sitting the Chief 
Justice De Grey and his associates, one of whom was the 
famous Sir William Blackstone, author of the well-known 
Commentaries on the Laws of England ; but no cause of 
importance, or lawyer of note speaking, I proceeded to the 
latter, where was sitting that excellent useful Judge, but 
mischievous politician, Lord Mansfield. For the same rea- 
son as the former, I quitted my stand here, and retreated to 
the House of Commons' commitee-chamber, where for an 
hour or two I was entertained at the examination of wit- 
nesses in the Worcester contested election. The committee 
sat on an elevated bench, and looked like a court of ses- 
sions ; the causes managed by advocates with regularity and 
decency. One of the committee was Sir George Saville ; the 
chairman, Ferguson ; all took minutes as is usual in all the 
courts. Thence to Judge Sewall's, Brompton-Row, where we 
met a few New England friends at dinner ; among them Mr. 
Thomas Robie, whom I was very glad to see, he having ar- 
rived in England from Halifax but three days since. By him 
I received a letter from Dr. John Prince in answer to mine 
dated in August. 

FROM HON. WILLIAM BROWNE. 

Boston, Jan. 8, 1776. 

George Dodge, in a schooner from Dominica, and Inger- 
sol, in a schooner of Hasket Derby's, from Jamaica, were 
lately sent in. The property of both vessels was transfer- 
red to merchants in the West Indies to cover their interest. 

James Grant is here from Halifax ; he has the promise of 
a commission in the army, and to keep his rank. About two 
months ago Mr. Marston, of Marblehead, came by night from 
Col. Fowles' farm. He knows nothing about Salem. His 
wife died last summer. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



49 



The other day Gen. Robinson showed me the devices 
upon the denominations of the Continental bills. On one is 
represented a heavy shower of rain falling on a new-settled 
country, motto around it " Serenabit ; " on another, a hand 
plucking the branches from a tea-plant, with the motto "jSm5- 
tine vel abstine; " on a third, a hawk contending with a stork, 
motto " Exitus in dubio est ; " on a fourth, an ancient crown 
on a pedestal, motto " Si recte facias ; " on a fifth, a beaver 
gnawing down a full-grown oak, motto " Perseverando ; " on 
a sixth an Irish harp, motto " Majora majoribus consonant." 
They are the inventions of Dr. Franklin. 

When I wrote to you in October, I forgot to send you 
the following list of officers in part of the Rebel army, found 
in the pocket of one of their sergeants, who was killed on 
the 17th June, on the heights of Charlestown, viz. : — 



Col. Gerrish, Newbury. 
Lt. Col. Parker, Chelmsford. 
Major Bigelow, Worcester. 
Lt. Col. Henshaw, Leicester. 
Maj. Brooks. 
Lt. Col. Holden, 
Adjt. Green. 
Col. Whitney. 
Col. Woodbridge. 
Major Buttrick. 
Col. Porter. 
Major Miller. 
Col. Doolittle, Petersham. 
Adjt. B. Moore. 
Col. Frye. 

Gen. Whitcom, Bolton. 
Col. William Prescott. 
Gen. Ward, Shrewsbury. 
Col. Peirce. 

Gen. Pomeroy, Northamp- 
ton. 
Col. Patterson, Richmond. 

5 



Adjt. Guager. 

Col. Nixon, Framingham. 

Col. Ward, Southborough. 

Maj. Sawyer. 

Adjt. Warner. 

Maj. Wm. Moore, Paxton. 

Maj. Cady. 

Adjt. Hunt. 

Adjt. Holman. 

Adjt. Hart. 

Col. Mansfield. 

Adjt. Putnam. 

Maj. Jackson. 

Lt. Col. Hudson or Hutchins. 

Adjt. Hardy. 

Col. Gardner, Cambridge. 

Col. Bridge, Chelmsford. 

Lt. Col. Brickett, Haverhill, 

Lt. Col. Clark. 

Major Stacey. 

Major Wood, Pepperell. 

Lt. Col. Powell. 



50 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Adjt. Holden. Lt. Col. J. Reid, near Ma- 

Adjt. Gen. Js. Keith, Easton. nadnock. 

Col. Green. Adjt. Marston. 

Maj. Baldwin. Maj. Brigade, Samuel Os- 

Adjt. Woodbridge. good. 

Secretary J. Ward. Lt. Col. Moulton. 

Adjt. Montague. Maj. Putnam. 

Adjt. Fox. Lt. Col. Putnam. 

Lt. Col. Robinson, Dorches- Maj. Poor. 

ter. Maj. Durkee, Norwich. 

Adjt. Febiger. Capt. Butler, Peterborough. 

Adjt. Stevens. Joseph Trumbull, Judge Ad- 
Col. Bond, Watertown. vocate, Norwich. 

Col. Simmons. Adjt. Handy, 

Lt. Col. Whitney, Harvard. Lt. Col. Storer. 

Those who have obtained leave to exchange the town for 
a country residence the last two months, are taken on board 
an armed ship at Hancock's Wharf and are landed at Point 
Shirley, where they are cleansed and aired for the benefit of 
their brethren who have not had the small-pox. 

I sent a verbal message to Mrs. Curwen by Bella Mc- 
Leroy, informing her of your safe arrival and health ; but 
was discouraged by Mrs. Gardiner from trusting her with 
your letter, which I still have in my desk with those lately 
received, and know not if I can ever send them until you 
will suffer them to be inspected at head-quarters on both 
sides the lines. Mrs. Browne and William desire their best 
regards. Pray present mine to all friends with you, and if 
you ever desire to hear from me again, give me reason to 
think so by sending me a circumstantial account of yourself 
and of what passes on your side of the water. 

I am your affectionate friend, 

Wm. Browne. 

London^ Feb. 15. Dined with New England Club at Adel- 
phi Tavern ; was introduced to Sir Francis Bernard, and saw 
there, for the first time since his arrival, Mr. Fisher, who 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 51 

promises to spend a day with me soon. Received a letter 
from Col. Browne, at Boston, acquainting me of the sad 
destruction of wooden houses for want of fuel, till of late 
thirteen vessels arrived with coals, &c., raising the despond- 
ency of the people. 

Feb. 27. The city polled for a chamberlain ; candidates, 
Aldermen Wilkes and Hopkins. The latter succeeded, to the 
no small mortification of the Wilkites, who exceed in num- 
bers, among the lower classes, the friends of Hopkins. Mr. 
Wilkes must look upon himself as one of the people, and 
lost henceforth to all importance. 

Feb. 29. Dined with Mr. Gilbert Harrison, and delivered 
my letter of credit from Mr. Timmins to Messrs. Harrison 
and Ansley. 

March 2. At Parson Peters' saw Mr. Troutbeck, lately 
arrived from Halifax, and Mr. Wiswall; mutually invited 
each other to visit, and gave cards. 

March 4. James Russell, and his friend Mr. Newman, 
dined with me ; received a card from Messrs. Clarke excus- 
ing themselves, being preengaged. 

March 10. To Tichfield-street to pay my respects to Gov. 
Oliver's lady; thence to Judge Sewall's, Brompton-Row, 
where dined. 

March 13. At Covent Garden, obtained a very conveni- 
ent place in the first front seat, lower gallery, when the ora- 
torio called " The Messiah " was performed ; the whole stage 
an orchestra ; in the centre a spacious organ embellished by 
a portrait of Handel surrounded with a glory, or such rays as 
are placed round the heads of the saints of the Romish cal- 
endar — our musical saint's performances being as much 
read and studied here as their manuals of devotion are by 
their admirers. The form of the orchestra amphitheatrical 
and the seats concentric, except of the vocal performers, who 
sat in chairs in front. The leading singers were Mrs. 
Wrighton, Mrs. Weischell, Mr. Leoni, etc. — nearly eighty 
performers in all. The first violin. Professor La Motte ; the 
first flute, Mr. Florio. The music was noble, grand, full, 
sonorous, and awfully majestic ; the whole assembly as one. 



52 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

rising, added a solemnity which swelled and filled my soul 
with an — I know not what, that exalted it beyond itself, 
bringing to my raised imagination a full view of that sacred 
assembly of blessed spirits which surround the throne of 
God. 

March 14. Surveyed the New River Works at Spafields 
— thence to see the ravages of the late fire at the Savoy, 
and through to the gardens belonging to Somerset House, 
now about to be pulled down, and the ground between it 
and the river filled up. I cannot but think with regret on so 
many noble and royal apartments in good repair, to be de- 
stroyed to build offices for the army, that bridle of the nation, 
its scourge, and will be its future ruin. 

March 19. Attended lecture at Salters' Hall. Dr. Price 
gave an excellent sermon from " Forgive us our debts as we 
forgive our debtors^ He observed that this was the only 
original part of the Lord's Prayer, (the rest being found in 
the Jewish liturgy,) and was designed to inculcate the dis- 
tinguishing characteristic of his religion, universal love and 
good-will to all mankind, making it the very condition on 
which our hopes of forgiveness are suspended. As forgive- 
ness of injuries and love of all mankind are the most ami- 
able of all virtues, so are they the most difficult to be prac- 
tised, and ought therefore to be the more endeavored after; 
and nothing can recommend us better to divine favor and 
acceptance. 

March 21. Mr. Heard, Norroy king-of-arms, having given 
me a letter to A. Farley, Esq., Chapter House, I went, ac- 
companied by William Cabot, Samuel Porter, Judge Sewall 
and his kinsman Samuel Sewall, and I. Bliss, and presenting 
my letter, we were admitted to a sight of Doomsday Books. 
One, in the fold of a folio, contained a valuation or estimate 
made for an equal tax of all the counties of England in the 
time of William the Conqueror, except the three northern 
counties of Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Durham, and 
the three counties of Essex, Sussex, and Kent, which are 
contained in a smaller fold or large octavo. Sussex con- 
tained but nine landholders in capile ; all tenures being then 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 53 

from the Crown, all the rest being mesne lords or tenants 
under them. The writing is fair and well preserved, but dif- 
ficult to .be read from its abbreviations in a multitude of 
places. The initial letters stand for words. The spelling of 
that age is very different from ours ; many terms not known 
now being then in common use. The Chapter House is of 
a peculiar construction, and was formerly the Parliament 
House in the time of the Edwards, etc., and contains Rolls of 
Court of King's Bench, Exchequer, etc., for many ages back. 
Evening, at a show called Les Ombres Chinoises, at which 
saw Earl Temple [supposed author of " Junius "] and lady, 
with several well-dressed people of fashion — about forty 
spectators in all. The " Ombres " were awkward and un- 
natural except the puppet dancing — an insipid show. 

March 24. Heard Dr. Fleming preach at Pinners' Hall ; 
his ideas clear, and his delivery moderate and devout. He 
complained of those mystics who denied the use of reason in 
matters of religion ; said it was subversive of it, and con- 
trary to the w^hole tenor of the canon of Scripture, and ren- 
dered as useless and unmeaning the motives and threaten- 
ings proposed to us therein for our obedience, and progress 
in virtue and holiness ; declared mankind free agents, en- 
dowed with the power of volition and choice, which was the 
foundation of all religious obedience, and without which we 
were not accountable. He denied the merit of Christ's sac- 
rifice to render us objects of divine acceptance, which, he 
said, by the divine promise was to be obtained by man's 
own serious and diligent performances. 

March 25. Drank tea at Mr. Green's in company with 
Gov. Hutchinson, whom I had not seen for some weeks, 
and who expressed an uneasiness at my neglect to call, 
which I accounted for as arising from concurrent disappoint- 
ments. 

March 31. At Joseph Green's in the evening, where I met 
Samuel Quincy. 

April 1, A. M. At Gov. Hutchinson's ; he was alone, 
reading a new pamphlet entitled " An Inquiry whether Great 
Britain or America is most in fauU." I accepted an invita- 

5* 



54 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

tion to return to dinner : taking leave for the present, I de- 
parted, walking through the palace and park to Mr. Bliss's 
lodgings, where I met Judge Sewall, Mr. Oxnard and Mr. 
Smith ; returned to the Governor's, w^ith whom only young 
Oliver and myself dined. From thence, in passing through 
Leicester-Square, I called in at Mr. Copley's to see Mr. Clarke 
and the family, who kindly pressed my staying to tea ; and 
in the mean time amused myself by seeing his performances 
in painting. He was then at work on a family-piece con- 
taining himself, Mr. Clarke, his wife and four children, of all 
of whom I observed a very striking likeness. At tea was 
present Mr. West, a Philadelphian, a most masterly hand in 
historic painting ; author of the well known and applauded 
piece, now in print, called " West's Death of Wolfe" and 
taken from his painting. He is now at work on a piece 
called the '■^Death of Stephen," for the King, and for which he 
is to have one thousand pounds. Mr. West is the King's 
history-painter, and was kind enough to put me into a way 
of obtaining a sight of the Queen's palace, which he tells me 
contains, except Houghton Hall, the finest collection of capi- 
tal paintings of any house in England. Returned with Mr. 
Clarke, who was going to see his son Jonathan, sick. 

April 3. Breakfasted with Smith and Oxnard, where I 
found Samuel Quincy and David Green, Judge Sewall and 
a Lieutenant Merrick. Bought Dr. Price on " Civil Liberty 
and the American War." 

Went with Mr. Clarke to procure more convenient lodg- 
ings for his sick son. which we found, as recommended by Dr. 
Pitcairn, in Cross-street, in what is called the Queen's House, 
said to be a palace of Elizabeth's, on a small scale, low, and 
in the taste of the sixteenth century. The remains of the 
porter's lodge at the bottom of the garden, in a peculiar style, 
are yet seen. In one of the lower rooms is a painting on the 
windows, with the date of 1588. 

April 4. At our New England Club dinner ; twenty-five 
members present. 

April 6. At Portuguese synagogue ; a master informed 
me that the common people cannot read the Pentateuch with- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 55 

out points, although it contains only alphabetic characters ; 
that the points were invented about the time of Christ, in 
the reign of Tiberius, and that they are necessary to ascertain 
the sense, which in many places would be wholly unintel- 
ligible without them, and that it would cost six months' study 
to understand the language so as to follow them in their 
prayers. 

April 7. Dined with Gov. Hutchinson, and we took tea 
at Mr. Joseph Green's. 

April 10. Took a view of West's pictures : amongst 
others, which filled two rooms, were the original of the Death 
of Wolfe, sold to Lord Grosvenor for six hundred guineas, 
about seven by five feet, in high estimation, although cen- 
sured by an anonymous writer in yesterday's " Advertiser ; " 
Lord Clive's receiving the Dewannah from the Nabob, figures 
about twelve inches high, and liltenesses well preserved, — 
fifteen feet by eight ; and many other groups of modern per- 
sons in ancient characters. Likewise the Death of Stephen, 
the proto-martyr, and at the period of his being received after 
his death by his friends ; the figures seven feet, the size of 
the picture about sixteen feet by seven ; designed for the 
altar of St. Stephen, Walbrook — six hundred guineas to be 
received for it, which Mr West esteems so small a price that 
he considers it a gift to the church. 

April 11. Visited Tylney House, Epping Forest, in com- 
pany with Messrs. Flucker and Hutchinson. The walls of 
the ball-room covered with tapestry of the most lively tints, 
being the story of Telemaque — the ceiling covered with 
paintings by Mr. Kent. The state dining-room is adorned 
with copies of capital paintings, three of Titian. The state 
bedchamber hung with crimson damask, lined with deckered 
silk, which I am told is India work, and cost two thousand 
pounds. Two other rooms hung in figured velvet on satin 
ground, and crimson velvet with broad gold lace. 

Dined at Mr. K.'s with five of my countrymen, among 
them a Mr. Bourne, lately arrived from Halifax ; he appears 
a grave, solid man, whose acquaintance I think I shall 
esteem. 



56 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

April 14. Attended public worship at Dr. Price's in the 
afternoon, and, in company with Benjamin Pickman, took 
tea with him. Mr. Pickman had a long conversation with 
Dr. Price on American affairs, but their sentiments were 
widely different. 

April 15. Mr. Boylston called, and we went to Parlia- 
ment-street to see the procession of the Peers to Westmin- 
ster Hall to attend the trial of the Duchess of Kingston ; the 
lords wore their robes. The queen, two princes and two 
princesses, and the peeresses and ladies in great multitudes 
attended, and made a most brilliant appearance. 

April 17. Went with B. Pickman to Highgate, where 
dined with Mr. Boylston, and after dinner to Caen Wood, 
the seat of Lord Mansfield. The house elegant, not large : 
— the centre is a noble portico, the walls of the hall, saloon, 
chambers, etc., covered with paper of India or Chinese fig- 
ures ; the library a beautiful room, (having a fine prospect of 
St. Paul's, distant about seven miles, through a wood, over 
a iawn, and ending in a fine piece of water,) contains the 
largest mirrors I ever saw, being seven and a half feet high 
by three and a half in breadth. In the hall are two tables 
of jet-black marble. The walls hung with portraits of Lord 
Mansfield and lady, who was a daughter of Finch, Earl of 
Nottingham. 

April 22. Visited Mr. Hughes, seventeen miles out, at 
Hoddesdon, Herts ; the grounds laid out with great taste. 

April 23. Walked to Ware, which contains five hundred 
houses, besides a great curiosity called " the great bed of 
Ware," which is twelve feet square; — the posts, which are 
of uncommon size, are carved with white and red roses, 
built, it is said, at the union of the houses of York and Lan- 
caster ; the date, 1463, is painted on the centre of the head- 
board, which, with the tester, is of wood, in the same style, 
laid out in compartments and surrounded with roses. The 
whole weighs half a ton ; twenty persons can repose com- 
fortably on it. 

April 24. Walked through the Rye-field to the Rye 
House, famous as the rendezvous of those who concerted 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 57 

the plot of that name : — the room in which they met was 
once a chapel ; indeed, the whole appears as the remains of 
a famous seat. The walls brick, and moulded round, form- 
ing two high round towers, joined together by a line of de- 
fence ; holes in the walls for arrows, etc. 

On returning home, passed a farm called Nether Hall, be- 
longing to a Mr. Archer; here are the remains of a palace, 
said to have been King Harold's before the Conquest. The 
house, which was very large, has been pulled down ; two 
lofty brick towers remain, with a wall of equal height 
crowned with battlements, and within a moat surrounding 
an acre of land covered with ruins. In one of the angles is 
a watch-tower, now converted into a hen-roost. Arriving at 
home, found John Inman, brother of Ralph, our countryman, 
who dined with us ; he is of a blunt humor, easy and jolly ; 
with him and a Mr. Musgrave we set off to Mr. Dauteville's, 
at Brocksburn, by invitation ; passed an agreeable evening 
at Mr. Hughes'. 

May 1. The young chimney-sweepers, with their sooty 
and chalked faces, are dressed out with ribbons and gilt pa- 
per ; a grotesque and merry-andrew appearance. With their 
brushes and scrapers they made a kind of musical sound, 
raising contributious on their employers and others. The 
milkmaids appeared in fine and fantastic attire, and carried 
on their heads pyramids of three or four feet in height, finely 
decorated. In Ave-Mary Lane saw the milkmen and maids 
again, with a g-arlafid, so called ; being a pyramid consisting 
of seven or eight stories, in the four angles of which stood 
a silver tankard, and on the sides, between each, lessening 
in height as the stories rose, stood a silver salver, the top 
crowned with a chased silver tea-kettle, round which were 
placed sundry small pieces of plate ; the whole adorned with 
wreaths and festoons of flowers, gilt paper, etc., carried on a 
bier and hand-barrow, it being a custom amongst them to 
collect of the customers a yearly contribution. The wrought 
silver appeared worth many hundreds of pounds, and is bor- 
rowed for the occasion. 

May 3. Dined with H H , Esq., Capt. T , 



58 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

and B. Pickman, at Jerusalem Tavern ; on my way meeting 
Mr. Elisha Hutchinson, who informed me of Col. Browne 
and son's arrival. 

May 4. Called on my friend Browne, who had sent a 
message last evening by Mr. Pickman to invite his three con- 
trymen to his lodgings. Col. Browne acquainted me with 
some facts relative to the unfortunate abandonment of Bos- 
ton by the King's troops ; which after all has the appearance 
of being forced. Would to God this ill-judged, unnatural 
quarrel was ended, but I fear thousands of useful innocents 
must be sacrificed to the wickedness, pride and folly of un- 
principled men. Many of our countrymen called during our 
stay. 

May 5. To Magdalen Hospital ; heard the Rev. Dr. Dodd 
preach from John xv. 17, " These things I command you, that 
ye love one another.^'' — A most elegant, sensible, serious and 
pathetic discourse, enough to have warmed a heart not cal- 
lous to the impressions of pity. I own my eyes flowed with 
tears of compassion. 

May 7. Attempted to get into Drury Lane Theatre, to see 
Mr. Garrick in the character of Archer, but the crowd was 
so great, that after suffering thumps, squeezes, and almost 
suffocation for two hours, I was obliged to retire without 
effecting it. Went to Mr. Silsbee's lodgings to tea. 

May 8. Visited Mr. Fisher, who very politely received me, 
and appeared glad to see me ; from thence to Gov. Hutchin- 
son's, who was alone — having before called at Col. Browne's 
(my townsman and friend) lodgings, whom I did not see, 
being gone abroad. Thence to Judge Sewall's in Brompton- 
Row, but meeting Mr. Harrison Gray near the house, was 
told that neither he nor Mr. Porter were at home. Called 
again at Col. Browne's, where I found Col. Saltonstall ; they 
both agreed to dine with me. 

May 9. With Col. Browne went to St. Paul's to hear the 
music for the benefit of the sons of clergy. Dr. Porteus ^ 
preached to a crowded assembly. The Archbishop of Can- 
terbury, the Bishop of London, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, 
in their formalities present. 

1 Afterwards Bishop of Chester. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 59 

May 10. Met at Col. Browne's Gov. Hutchinson, Judge 
Sewall and Col. Saltonstall ; proceeded to Westminster Hall, 
heard opinions from Judges De Grey, Gould, Blackstone and 
Nares respecting a verdict. 

May 11. Advices of the arrival of a vessel which left 
Philadelphia by consent of Congress, on the owner's paying 
them as duty one third the cost of vessel and cargo ; and 
that Arnold is appointed a Major-General, and still remained 
before Quebec, five thousand men having been sent from 
Philadelphia. Took tea with Mr. Copley and Mr. Clark. 

May 13. Walked to Walworth, the gardens of a Mr. 
Maddocks, a noted florist, wherein I saw the greatest variety 
of finely variegated tulips I believe in England. 

May 14. Went to the Exhibition-room in the Strand, 
where were more than fifty people viewing the pictures, 
models, etc., as contained in a book delivered to each at 
entering. There were many performances and some very 
excellent in their kind, of which the view of the Eruption of 
Vesuvius and a few night-pieces struck me most. 

May 15. Visited Pinchbeck's to view stained glass ; most 
elegant figures, finest tints, in the new revived art, by a Mr. 
Jervais ; among which were two full lengths of Christ and 
Moses, bought at seventy guineas by a clergyman, and pre- 
sented to Westminster Abbey. From thence to the Exhibi- 
tion-room of the Royal Academy, in Pali-Mall, where were 
to be seen a most curious collection of elegant and capital 
performances in oil, crayons, enamel, sculpture, etc. ; a great 
number present. Meeting Colonels Browne and Saltonstall 
at the door of their lodgings, agreed to meet them at the Ex- 
change and dine together at three o'clock. 

May 17. Took tea at Mr. J. Green's ; Harrison Gray and 
other company there ; having dined with eleven New Eng- 
landers at St. Clement's Coffee-House. 

May 20. Took lodgings with a Mr. Palmer at the Herald's 
office. 

May 21. Visited the Boar's-head Tavern, Cannon-street, 
to view the very room or rather spot in which Prince Harry 
with FalstafF used to assemble with their friends Nym, Bar- 



60 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

dolph, etc., to hold their nocturnal frolicks. Agreed to make 
a company, (if feasible,) to dine next Thursday. Returned 
home, where found Richard Routh, who came with B. Pick- 
man. 

June 2. Called at Mr. Copley's, Leicester-Square ; after- 
wards at No. 11 Haymarket, the lodgings of Col. Browne 
and Col. Saltonstall. 

June 5. Walked to Mr. Green's ; Major Brattle entered, 
and we three took coach to Drury Lane, to see for the last 
time Garrick in Richard III. by command of their Majesties, 
but were too late — house filled. 

Ju?ie 6. To Westminster Hall to hear the sentence of 
Gen. Smith and Mr. HoUis for bribing a borough, who are 
to be imprisoned six months, and pay one thousand marks. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, EXETER. 

London, June 6, 1776. 
Dear Sir : 

We have received advices from America, though not au- 
thenticated enough to find a place in the " Court Gazette," 
still generally believed ; there are some who doubt the whole. 

Gov. Tryon in his letters by the packet from New York, 
which left 2d May, writes that " Arnold having received a 
reinforcement, made a second attack on Quebec, but finding 
it impracticable to take it by storm, he, on the 19th April, 
after five days' attempt, retreated ; in the mean time, the Isis, 
with eight hundred men on board two transports which ar- 
rived with her, having landed, immediately joined the gar- 
rison and issued out, disturbing them on their march, and 
destroying seven hundred and fifty men." It is reported that 
eighty men, taken last February, on Montgomery's defeat, 
from the New England regiments, incorporated with the 
garrison and behaved bravely ; on the contrary, seventy of 
the Regulars entered among the Provincials, and turning 
against them when hard pushed, occasioned the carnage 
stated above. Gen. Lee is said to be taken with seventy 
men by a party of Gen. Clinton's, as he was reconnoitering, 
without firing a gun ; the story is told in three different ways, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 61 

but finds credit. A vessel from Halifax has arrived, bring- 
ing their Governor Legge to answer complaints. Gen. 
Washington has issued a proclamation, forbidding all rapine 
and plunder in Boston, a source of comfort to our friends 
here. There is a long list of military stores in the papers, 
said to have been left at Boston by Gen. Howe, but it is 
thousrht to be a false account. 

London, my favorite place of abode, is, as the peasant 
said, " a sad lickpenny^^ and truly one cannot breathe the 
vital air without great expense. The numerous applications 
to the treasury by Americans whose pretensions are so much 
beyond mine, exclude the most distant hope of relief for me, 
should inadvertence or more unjustifiable principles of con- 
duct reduce me to the necessity of asking a favor, which I 
am determined at all events to defer to the longest period, if 
it please the great Disposer of events to prolong my uneasy 
abode in this country of aliens for many days yet to come. 

To communicate with a friend is almost the only relief 
from distracting thoughts ; for the harmless amusements in 
which I was engaged last summer and fall, and which 
served to dissipate uneasy reflections, now having lost their 
novelty, delight no more. 

Yours, truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

June 8. Dined with Judge Sewall at Brompton-Row ; 
and with him, his wife and sister, Mr. Blowers and wife, 
Samuel Sewall and William Browne, was admitted to the 
Queen's palace in St. James's Park. The rooms are large, 
lofty, and extremely well filled with pictures ; many of them 
said to be originals of the best masters : amongst them are 
seven cartoons of Raphael, and a large collection of minia- 
tures in gilt frames and under glass. From thence to tea at 
Col. Browne's, afterwards to the Opera House ; entertained 
with the opera of "Antigono," the Signors Rousini and 
Gabrieli, principal performers ; interludes of exquisitely fine 
dancing. 

June 10. Read " Common Sense," published in America, 

6 



62 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

and republished here, in favor of American independence ; 
and also " Plain Truth," an answer to it ; and Provost Smith's 
oration on the Quebec heroes, Montgomery, etc. 

TO DR. CHARLES RUSSELL, ANTIGUA. 

London, June 10, 1776. 
Dear Sir : 

I congratulate you on your retreat from the land of op- 
pression and tyranny ; for surely, greater never appeared 
since the days of Nimrod. I sincerely wish well to my 
native country, and am of opinion that the happiness of it 
depends on restraining the violences and outrages of pro- 
fligate and unprincipled men, who run riot against aU the 
laws of justice, truth and religion. Sad and deplorable is 
the condition of those few that like Abdiel, amidst hostile 
bands of fallen spirits, retain their primitive loyalty. So 
strangely unprosperous hitherto have been the measures of 
administration in America, that the active Provincials have 
taken courage, and accomplished what in contemplation 
would have appeared morally impossible. Gen. Burgoyne 
sailed from hence ten weeks ago for Canada with four thou- 
sand Brunswickers and seven or eight regiments ; Lord 
Howe, in the Eagle, about a month since, and the first di- 
vision of Hessians, consisting of eight or ten thousand, about 
a fortnight before him. Gen. Howe, his brother, with nine 
thousand, was at Halifax the beginning of April. The sec- 
ond division ('tis said) will sail this week, consisting of four 
thousand, which completes the whole number of foreign 
troops. The whole of the regular army on the Continent will 
not be short of forty thousand men. It is surprising what 
little seeming effect the loss of American orders has on the 
manufactories ; they have been in full employ ever since the 
dispute arose ; stocks are not one jot lessened, the people in 
general little moved by it ; business and amusement so to- 
tally engross all ranks and orders here that Administration 
finds no difficulty on that score to pursue their plans. The 
general disapprobation of that folly of independence which 
America now evidently aims at makes it a difficult part for 
her friends to act. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 63 

By letters from Salem to the 16th April I find they were 
in a quiet state there, and hugging themselves in the fatal 
error that Government had abandoned the design of reduc- 
ing them to obedience. Six vessels laden with Refugees are 
arrived from Halifax, amongst whom are R. Lechmere, I. 
Vassal, Col. Oliver, Treasurer Gray, etc. Those who bring 
property here may do well enough, but for those who expect 
reimbursement for losses, or a supply for present support, will 
find to their cost the hand of charity very cold ; the latter 
may be kept from starving, and beyond that their hopes are 
vain. " Blessed is he (saith Pope) that expecteth nothing.^ for 
he shall never be disappointed ; " nor a more interesting truth 
was ever uttered. 

I find my finances so visibly lessening that I wish I could 
remove from this expensive country, (being heartily tired of 
it,) and old as I am, would gladly enter into a business con- 
nection anywhere consistently with decency and integrity, 
which I would fain preserve. The use of the property I left 
behind me I fear I shall never be the better for ; little did I 
expect from affluence to be reduced to such rigid economy 
as prudence now exacts. To beg is a meanness 1 wish 
never to be reduced to, and to starve is stupid ; one comfort, 
as I am fast declining into the vale of life, my miseries can- 
not probably be of long continuance. 

With great esteem, etc. 

• S. CURWEN. 

June 13. Went early to call on my townsmen Messrs. 
Dalglish and Hastie ; ^ met Capt Poynton ; Mr. Hastie de- 
livered me a letter from Mr. Pynchon. Mr. Thomas Dan- 
forth, late from Boston by the way of Halifax, and Mr. R. 
Russell, called and staid with me till eleven o'clock at night. 

June 15. Accompanied Mr. Danforth to Gov. Hutchin- 
son's and Judge Sewall's. 

Jane 18. Called on Mr. Hughes, who invited me to a 
second visit to his seat at Hoddesdon ; showed me a Massa- 
chusetts libel for a transport from London, signed by the 

1 Importers of Salem. 



64 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

new Judge of Admiralty, Timothy Pickering, Jr. Dr. Syl- 
vester Gardner bitterly laments his unhappy situation at 
Halifax, with a deplorable account of his losses at leaving 
Boston, etc. 

June 19. To the British Museum, accompanied by Mr. 
Danforth. In the library I saw King John's original charter, 
called Magna Charta ; a book of prayers of Queen Elizabeth, 
executed finely by herself, the writing very plain, letters fair 
and well preserved, the covering of red velvet worked in 
flowers her by own hand. The Alexandrian manuscript 
copy of the Bible, said to have been written in the fourth 
century, containing the Gospel of Nicodemus, a forgery com- 
posed in that age ; all written on parchment, in capitals, with- 
out distinction of words, or verse, or sentences. Also many 
of the letters of Charles I., amongst which the original of his 
to Glamorgan, a papist, in Ireland, promising to make good 
his engagement to him in establishing the Roman Catholic 
religion there, and toleration of it in England. 

Thursday, June 20. Accompanied Mr. Danforth to Judge 
Oliver's lodgings, in Jermyn-street, and with him and his son 
proceeded through the Park to Westminster Hall, expecting 
to hear Lord Rochfort and Mr. Sayre's case, but it did not 
come on. Just looking into Chancery, I observed the Judges 
as they were going out of King's Bench turned about and 
saluted with a bow. Chief Justice Lord Mansfield's train 
borne up by a gentleman. Chief Justice of Common Pleas, 
Sir William De Grey, made a speech on a trial between a 
Mr. Popham, etc., on an election affair. 

Met my townsman, Samuel Grant; the first time I have 
seen him since his arrival from Mississippi. 

June 21. Called at Messrs. Browne and Saltonstall's lodg- 
ings, where I saw Col. Morrow and Mr. Johonnot, of Bos- 
ton, Refugees, for the first time since their arrival. 

Mr. Bourne, one of ray countrymen, brought me a letter 
which came by a Cape Ann schooner, dated Salem, 21st 
April — when all was well. My friend's advices concern- 
ing the discipline and number of the Provincial troops, and 
the number and strength of the American navy, will prove. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 65 

when put to the test, to be a delusive fancy : civil wars in 
time make good generals and soldiers, but the immense in- 
equality will, I suppose, put an end to this war before they 
will have time to qualify ; in any case, America must be 
ruined, perhaps desolated. I pray God inspire all with a 
spirit of moderation and wishes for a reconcilement and 
oblivion of past confusions ; and may the righteous flourish 
as the palm-tree, and the wicked wither and their root con- 
sume away. 

June 23. At Rolls' Chapel. Dr. Hurd, Bishop of Litch- 
field and Coventry, preached an ingenious discourse. Mr. 
Browne, R,. Clark, E. Hutchinson, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Johonnot, 
Judge Oliver and son, accompanied me. 

TO MR. ISAAC SMITH, EXETER. 

London, June 26, 1776. 
Dear Sir : 

I have received a letter from Rev. Thomas Barnard, of 
Salem, filled wjth American fancies ; their power, strength, 
grandeur, and prowess, by land and sea ; their policy, patriot- 
ism, industry, progress in the useful arts, and their fixed 
determination to withstand the attacks of tyranny, etc., etc. 
All these fanciful notions will, (too soon, alas I to their sor- 
row,) like Ephraim's goodness, " vanish as the morning cloud 
and early dew," and prove to be fatal delusions. 

Two or three companies of Bostonians are lately arrived 
from Halifax. I am determined to take a journey west- 
ward, and shall stop as near you as possible. I shall, how- 
ever, depart hence as Abraham did from the land of the 
Chaldees, not knowing whither I go ; fain would I trust in 
the same kind protecting hand that guided that good old 
patriarch ; would to God I had his faith, but fear my future 
allotments will be poverty and pilgrimage. 

Your friend, etc. 

S. CURWEN. 

London^ June 27. At Westminster Hall to hear Lord 
Rochfort, Secretary of State, and Mr. Sayre's case, for false 

6 * 



66 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

imprisonment and seizing the latter's papers. Verdict, one 
thousand pounds for the latter. Tried before Chief Justice 
De Grey. 

July 1. Breakfasted with Col. Saltonstall ; afterwards to 
Judge Oliver's, to have a sight of Dr. Elliott's letters, con- 
ceived in the Whig strain. 

July 3. With Mr. Browne visited Bunhill Fields burying- 
ground to view Judge Chambers Russell's grave — passed 
John Bunyan's tomb, 1688. 

July 5. At Croydon, where the Duke of Bedford has a 
hunting-seat. In this place he and the Marquis of Bland- 
ford,^ youths of twelve and thirteen, are at a boarding-school. 
I arrived at Mrs. Grosvenor's, the lodgings of the two Inger- 
solls, D. and J., and to the latter I had a letter from D. 
Deberdt, recommending me to the house, which I found full, 
and am therefore disappointed. Thence to the church ; the 
vicar is Dr. Apthorp, my countryman ; it is in excellent re- 
pair ; in a separate corner are the tombs of six archbishops, 
viz. Grindall, Whitgift, and Sheldon, with statues over them 
and placed against the wall, and in decumbent postures, in 
episcopal habits and crowns, the latter of white marble pol- 
ished, and on the entablature the emblems of mortality in 
middle relief, executed in a masterly manner in Italy ; the 
three others are Wake, Potter, and Herring, in flat tombs, 
and their names, &c., inscribed. Dined with the Ingersolls 
at Mrs. Grosvenor's. 

July 8. Paid visits to Mr. Fisher and Col. Saltonstall ; left 
a card at Gov. Hutchinson's, who is in the country. Took 
tea at IVIr. Blower's in company with Judge Sewall and 
family. 

July 10. At Guildhall — Court Common Pleas, in which 
sat Chief Justice De Grey — King's Bench, Lord Chief Jus- 
tice Mansfield — the former addressed the jury in a case of 
slander in a most agreeable manner. 

Speaking of the Standard in Cornhill sometimes referred 
to in books relative to distances, I called on an inhabitant 
there, but could get no satisfaction, he telling me he had him- 
1 Afterwards Duke of Marlborough. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 67 

self inquired about it to no purpose. But very few are ac- 
quainted with the curiosities, etc., the knowledge being con- 
fined to those skilled in city history. 

July 13. Breakfasted with Mr. Oxnard and Mr. Silsbee. 
Asked a man how far it was to Chelsea, and was answered, 
in the true New England style, " I donH know — about half a 
mile." This I note as the first instance, to my remembrance, 
of the like I have met with on this side the water. 

Had a free conversation with a couple of conversible gen- 
tlemen, not commonly to be met with ; the better sort or 
gentry being too proud or reserved to mix with those they 
don't know, or to indulge a promiscuous chat. 

July 14. Worshipped at All- Hallows, Lombard-street ; the 
officiating priest was Mr. Peters, the Refugee from Hebron, 
Connecticut ; ^ his text 2 Peter, chap. iii. verses 1 and 2: ^^But 
grow in grace," etc. Mr. Peters dined with me. 

1 Author of a travestied History of Connecticut. 



68 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



CHAPTER II. 

A. D. 1776. Leaves London for the Country. Visits Salisbury. Stone- 
hen^e. Exeter. Sidmouth. Rev. Isaac Smith. Letter to Thomas Dan- 
forth. Visits Bristol. Birmingham. Tewksbury. Gloucester. Returns 
to Bristol. Ratcliff Church. Admiral Penn. Clifton Grotto. Shepton 
Mallet. Lord Arundel's Seat. Cabinet of Pope Sixtus V. Alfred's 
Tower. Spinning-jennies. 

London, July 15. Walked out with the intention of pay- 
ing my respects to Gov. Hutchinson before leaving London 
— met him in the Park with Mr. Flucker, and took leave ; 
receiving copies of two letters with leave to show them to 
Mr. Isaac Smith, one being to himself and the other to Mr, 
HoUis, both from Dr. Elliott, and intercepted by Gen. Howe. 

Tuesday, July 16. Left home at an early hour in the Salis- 
bury coach. On Hounslow Heath, through which we passed, 
three monuments of human folly and divine justice — as 
many gibbets with the remains of so many wretches, hang- 
ing in chains ; a little beyond, a high obelisk, crowned with 
a large gilt ball, erected by the late Duke of Cumberland at 
his lodge in Windsor Park. On the other hand, at a dis- 
tance of twenty rods from the road, another obelisk, ending 
in a blunt point ; two miles further stands a more lofty one 
scarcely finished, of four stories, illuminated by square 
windows, the design of the present Duke. The road from 
Wallop to Salisbury is delightfully pleasant, and hard as a 
garden gravel-walk ; at four miles' distance is to be seen the 
spire of the cathedral, supposed to be the highest in Eng- 
land. The land rising gradually from the plain till the sight 
is bounded by a ridge of high hills, from the rising filled 
with enclosures, rows and clumps of trees, and many farm- 
houses ; alighted at Salisbury at seven o'clock in the even- 
ing. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 69 

Salisbury^ July 17. Started for Stonehenge, a distance of 
eleven miles, the first five through highly cultivated grounds. 
At the distance of three miles from the city, on the right, is 
to be seen an eminence, apparently of an oval figure, lying be- 
yond the improved grounds, enclosed with hedges, etc., which 
seems to be raised by art, or formed into its present shape or 
figure, at least, by the hands and industry of man ; the as- 
cent to the plain on which its base stands is above the level 
of the improvements on the hither side ; it is an easy slope 
at an angle of 45°, and measures round one mile ; on the rim 
of the first slope are cornfields ; within is a slope of the same 
figure as the lower, rising nearly to the same height ; in a 
plain on one side is planted a small group of trees ; this spot 
in former days was the site of Old Sanint, containing about 
sixty acres, unless I am misinformed, without one house on 
it, now entitled to send two members to Parliament, On 
the lower plain, and bordering on the slope, stands one house, 
where dwells a family supplying the curious who visit there 
with punch, wine, and tea. The view under this long range 
of hi]ls presents a most pleasing and variegated prospect. 

Turning out of the road over the lawn, void of trees, bush- 
es, stones, and as even as a bowling-green, we soon arrived 
in sight of the object of our pursuit, Stonehenge : its first 
appearance resembled a company of men ; in different views 
it assumed very different shapes. About a mile from this 
place, encompassing it in a circular line, stand many of those 
bodies of earth called barrows, or tumuli, supposed burial 
places of the Druids ; their form is globular, from nine to 
twelve feet in height, and from thirty-five to forty in diame- 
ter : — their surfaces smooth, all of the same shape, and not 
very different in size. I viewed them well, and remembering 
that they never could be counted, I nevertheless set about the 
task with confidence of success ; — my first enumeration was 
eighty, second eighty-two, third and fourth different, so that 
I was convinced of the difficulty of the task and gave it up ; 
— almost imagining that the Druid presiding over these 
sacred ruins puzzles and confounds the minds of all Avho 
make the iniquitous attempt. The outside row of stones 



70 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

is an imperfect oval, eighteen in number ; those upright are 
about seventeen feet high and about four feet wide. Eight 
very large, but not of so great length, lying flatwise on 
the tops of the outside row — nine on the tops of those 
within ; fourteen small uprights stand within, in different 
directions or lines ; twenty-eight, perhaps more, lying out 
of the ground — two lying in the ground, that look as if 
in their natural bed. Two columns, of the largest size and 
of an uneven surface, stand upright ; in one of these, near 
the end, is a small hollow, the size and shape of what Don 
Quixote took for Mambrino's helmet. In the other, near 
the ground, is a small hollow of the size of a pint basin, 
said to have been impressed when the devil threw the rock 
at the friar and struck him on the heel. Many other tradi- 
tions, tales and follies, are related by the credulous and super- 
stitious vulgar about this wonderful pile. There is no appear- 
ance of the chisel or hammer ; but one of the rocks, which 
is very large, has on each end an excavation about fourteen 
inches long and about seven deep, designed to be placed on 
the upright ones. The upright one, of which the former lies 
at its foot, has on top a circular rising just the size of those 
below, and seems as if intended to be let into the hollows to 
keep the arch-stones and those lying on the tops of the up- 
rights steady and secure. And I doubt not the cross-stones 
lying still on the tops of the uprights are secured the same 
way. This pile stands on a lofty eminence of great extent, 
and has on it neither tree, bush, shrub or stone within many 
miles on either side, and is called " the Plain of Salisbury." 
Thence, at a distance of seven miles, I was admitted to Lord 
Pembroke's seat. In the court are fine busts and statues. 
The house is a noble building, round a square ; the front is a 
plan of Inigo Jones, looks over a lawn, through which is a 
natural river improved by art ; through the lawn are inter- 
spersed clumps of trees, statues and bustos, vases and obe- 
lisks, rendering the spot delightful beyond description. The 
rooms are filled with antique statues, busts, vases, urns, sarco- 
phagi without number. Among other things a curalis sella 
made of iron and brass — the stone-coffin that Terence's re- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. - 71 

mains were deposited in, and the urn that contained the 
ashes of Horace ; — also an exact model of the Venus of 
Medicis and the Apollo Belvidere. Was it not for the com- 
plaisance due the fair sex, I should prefer the latter to the 
former, and believe it is to that principle alone that antiqua- 
rians are so lavish in their praises of the goddess. On return- 
ing to Salisbury, three miles, after dinner I strolled to the 
cathedral ; the pulpit of stone is in the body of the church, 
the reading-desk is in the choir ; the ceiling curious and finely 
painted and gilded, laid out in compartments of many figures, 
with roses, &c,, in the centre. The windows filled with 
paintings ; the buttresses, pillars and decorations are similar 
to Westminster Abbey. This cathedral is supposed to be 
five or six centuries old ; it stands in a place called Salisbury 
Close, surrounded by walls, having three gates that are shut 
every night. It has privileges distinct from the town, and 
is the residence of the bishop and his clergy, besides private 
families. 

Took coach for Exeter. 

July 27. Two despatches from America on their way to 
London, with advices that an engagement had happened be- 
tween Gen. Howe and the Americans, with a loss of 18,000 
men on both sides, and so great was the carnage that one 
regiment had but five men left. On inquiry I believe the 
account cannot be true to* the extent of loss. 

July 28. — Exeter. It is remarkable that in many of the 
churches of this city are placed in compartments, or tablets 
against the walls in many places, collections of texts of 
Scripture. It is believed that the cathedral has been stand- 
ing nine hundred years, and its ancient appearance justifies 
it ; the military garb some of the statues are dressed in is of 
the period of the ninth and tenth centuries. 

July 30. Attended divine service in the cathedral, to hear, 
as is the custom, the assize sermon preached before the 
Judges, who were Barons Eyre and Hotham ; the preacher, a 
Mr. Simmons ; a sensible and serious discourse from Prov- 
erbs xiv. 34, ''''Righteousness exalteth a nation.^'' 



72 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

TO THOMAS DANFORTH, ESQ., BROMPTON-ROW, LONDON. 

Exeter, July 30, 1776. 

Dear Sir : 

********** 

Dined at Whitchurch ; we were joined at table by five 
gentlemen of the turf, going to the Andover races in this 
vicinity : the jokes flew freely, and excited laughter among 
themselves and afforded me some amusement, although con- 
ceived in terms to which I was unaccustomed; — their bois- 
terous mirth and manners brought to my mind the descrip- 
tions to be met with in books, of gentlemen of that character, 
and is a proof that they have justly copied the originals. 
Again we took fresh horses, and in an hour measured eight 
miles, passing the Earl of Portsmouth's seat, remarkable for 
nothing that I could see, (but yet it covers more ground than 
the neighboring farm-houses,) lying just before we entered 
the Andover race-grounds, an extent of two or three miles, 
under a range of naked hills on one side, and on the other by 
enclosures beyond which the road runs, and on which we 
met and overtook multitudes of each sex, every rank and 
condition, dressed in their best attire, to partake of the diver- 
sions of the race ; being too early, we missed a sight J would 
gladly have enjoyed. At a distance of three miles we de- 
scended into the town of Andover, which, like the situations 
of most towns in England, is in a bottom, containing two 
hundred houses, a church and town-hall, with open market 
under it, and adorned with a spire on the top, and a modern 
structure, as many of the houses are. 



At the distance of eight miles from Salisbury, we passed 
through five or six villages of houses Avith mud walls and 
thatched roofs, such only being seen for many miles in the 
West. Alighted at last at the Red Lion, in Salisbury, having 
rode eighty-three miles in fifteen hours. The houses in Salis- 
bury are in ancient style of building, and contain five thou- 
sand inhabitants. I peeped into the cathedral during service ; 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 73 

the worshippers were the dean, five or six ecclesiastics, eight 
singing-boys, and eight as miserable looking wretches as ever 
entered the doors of a hospital ; they were literally, as the Gos- 
pel says, of those who are called " the blind, the halt," &c., 
and are hired to attend : and without this expedient I fancy 
the lay hearers would be as few as Dr. Swift's congregation. 
The ceiling is as gaudy as gold and paint can make it, and in 
the taste of Henry Vllth's chapel, but not open work, and by 
it appearance has been neglected for some centuries. In short 
it looks like an old neglected military officer out of service, 
with his regimentals worn threadbare and soiled. Indeed the 
whole church is so slovenly and dirtily kept, that a stranger 
would judge that these stewards of the Lord's inheritance 
regarded the revenues more than the repairs of the mansion- 
house. The pews or seats are in a declining, and if not soon 
propped up, will be in a decumbent state ; — the pulpit of 
stone, perhaps to denote the blockish quality of its possessors. 
A curious statue of St. Osmond is here, said to have been 
brought from old Sarum, and supposed of the eleventh or 
twelfth century ; but where he lived or died is not within the 
compass of my reading.^ 

Having performed a ride of ninety miles in seventeen 
hours, alighted in this city of Exeter, my distance from Lon- 
don being one hundred and seventy-two miles. The number 
of inhabitants is scarcely seven eighths as numerous as at 
Boston in New England; standing on much less ground, 
and on an eminence in the centre of a bottom, encompassed 
by distant high hills ; on one side runs the river Exe, over it 
a bridge some centuries old. The streets narrow and dirty 
— houses of ancient style. The city is encompassed with a 
wall, in some places almost entire, very high, and crowned 
with battlements ; — perhaps more gates, gateways and 
arches here than in any other place in England. I was told 
that forty years ago there was not a coach to be seen in the 
city. Here are nineteen parish churches, not one with a 
spire, but having large towers and battlements ; and eleven 

1 Chancellor of England and Bishop of Salisbury under William the 
Conqueror. 

7 



74 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

meeting-houses for Presbyterians, Quakers, Methodists, Cath- 
olics, and Jews. The castle lately demolished to make room 
for a court-house. The cathedral front is adorned with 
sixty mutilated statues, having the appearance of a thousand 
years. Among the various monuments within, is one erected 
many ages since, to perpetuate the remembrance of an en- 
thusiast, who died a martyr to his folly in presuming to fast 
in imitation of our Saviour ; being a just resemblance of a 
body wasted by hunger to a skeleton. 

I am, with great regard, 

S. CURWEN. 

Exeter^ August 1. Attended the assizes at the castle ; the 
cause before Baron Eyre was a suit of Lord Clifford, a 
Roman Catholic peer, against a Mr. Prode, for encroaching 
on the rights of his manor of Ringmoor, within which is part 
of the town of Teignmouth, lying on the river Tyne. Lord 
Clifford claimed up to high- water mark, below which for 178 
feet he had built and enclosed ; but on the trial Lord Clif- 
ford made an offer to compromise the claim, allowing Mr. 
Prode to enjoy one half his encroachment for three lives or 
ninety-nine years, paying yearly ten shillings, and surrender- 
ing the other half, which terms were acceded to, and the 
trial was quashed. 

August 5. Removed to Sidmouth, a watering-place, where 
I propose to reside some time with my friend. Rev. Isaac 
Smith, who officiates as minister to the Dissenting congrega- 
tion, partly made up of the company resorting hither for the 
benefit of sea-bathing and drinking the waters. I am now 
at Mr. Follet's. 

August 12. Sidmouth consists of about a hundred houses, 
built of mud walls and thatched roofs, except a very few 
with Cornish tile and with shingles, very low, situated in a 
bottom or vale ; the lands about are under good improve- 
ment. On each side stand two ridges of hills, ending in 
cliffs, the foot washed by the tide. In the town is an old 
church with a clock and a meeting-house. The inhabitants 
chiefly hired out to the Newfoundland traders, and for the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 75 

most part in low circumstances. The town is within the 
manor of Sir Wilmot Prideaux, whose ancestor having mort- 
gaged the estate to the ancestor of a person now insane, the 
leases cannot be renewed, and therefore the houses are going 
to decay, none inclining to repair more than necessary at an 
uncertainty. 

TO DE. CHARLES EUSSELL, ANTIGUA. 

SiDMOUTH, August, 14, 1776. 
Dear Sir : 

Your letter has given me great pain ; people in similar 
circumstances of distress must be brutal not to feel for one 
another. Let us endeavor to fortify our minds against 
despondency; perhaps our prospects will brighten; if not, 
reason and a submissive disposition may greatly alleviate, 
though they cannot wholly remove the weight of trouble. I 
sincerely wish you and your connections a removal of the 
sufferings you are at present under. 

You are candid enough to place my demand to the right 
account. I would sooner have endured hunger than need- 
lessly add to any one's distresses, much less those for whom 
I am bound by many ties to promote their happiness and in- 
terest. Do not remember the demand, consult your conveni- 
ence ; I have not wanted, although I am reduced to a rigid 
economy, which you know was not my case in New Eng- 
land. This watering-place, the resort of much genteel com- 
pany for sea-bathing, is the most frugal place in England ; 
it is in Devonshire, in the neighborhood of Exeter, and about 
two hundred miles from London. 

Your favors, ever esteemed, I ask a continuance of, and 
remain, etc. S. Curwen. 



My dear Sir: 



FROM THOMAS DANFORTH. 

Knightsbridge, August 18, 1776. 



Since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they 
were. I have received your two epistles, though the last but 
two or three days ago, it having lain some time at Palmer's, 



76 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

from whence I removed a fortnight this day to Mr. Pem- 
berthy's, in Queen's Row, six or eight houses north of Judge 
Sewall's, where I have very agreeable lodgings. I neglected 
answering particularly your first letter, expecting every day 
a second, and having nothing particular by way of news. I 
have now determined to write, news or no news, and as you 
know it is not against my conscience to affirm that I saw 
the same velvet in the loom, for the same reason I think it 
very innocent to make a small budget of news. You will 
therefore be pleased to understand and be informed, that, a 
few days ago, the Commissioners, with Nathaniel Coffin, Mr. 
Portef, the Comptroller, the Inspector-General, Col. Leonard, 
Mr. Barrick, Mr. Mather, Mr. Faneuil, etc., etc., arrived from 
Halifax ; what reception they will meet with is uncertain. 
You see without doubt in the papers the news from the 
army at Staten Island. Sheriff Loring writes Col. Hatch, 
that he expects to spend the winter in Roxbury, and shall 
clean up his house there for his place of residence. 

Col. Tyng writes to Judge Sewall, that when he is settled 
in his house, which he proposes to take at Amboy. he shall 
be more particular. It seems that the accounts they have 
from the deserters are very encouraging; that they are much 
divided upon the matter of independency. I think that the 
enemies of opposition to Parliament may regard the matter 
in that light, and appear openly ; that this will be a lucky 
handle, and will finally be the means of oversetting the com- 
bination. It is said that there is a large party in South 
Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, in 
opposition ; these will assist the King's troops when they are 
well warmed in dispute with their brethren. It would not 
be strange if the rebel interest should melt like snow in a hot 
sun, when once it begins to fail. All but the Congress have 
an excuse for revolting, and think that they save their honor. 
Thousands will revolt from them upon a specious pretence, 
who never would if such could not be found. You have 
seen in the papers an account of the Yankee privateer 
brought into the river ; one Johnston, of Boston, is master, 
and Downer, of Roxbury, surgeon. The prisoners are now 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 77 

on board of a 74 gun-ship at Sheerness. They give a more 
favorable account of the situation of the friends of Govern- 
ment than we have before had, but some allowances must 
be made. Daniel Bliss writes from Quebec, that they have 
reason to think that above a thousand men about Albany 
are ready to join Gen. Burgoyne ; he makes the loss of the 
rebels in that expedition to be 2000 men, killed, prisoners, 
and by sickness, upon a moderate computation. The 400 
men, inhabitants of Staten Island, with others as they come 
in, are put under command of Gen. Ruggles, who is to keep 
possession of the island. I am much obliged by your agree- 
able account of your journey, but an -account of your journey 
to London again will be more agreeable, which I hope will 
be soon. Our friend Bourne is gone into the country, so 
that I am at some loss to give you so particular an ac- 
count of the lottery as I could wish. There is much about 
Molesworth's Plan in the " Ledger" of this day. I shall ex- 
amine it, and if it does not contain the whole matter, will 
insert the remainder before I close this letter. Bourne said 
that he discouraged him from purchasing chances. Brattle, 
Boylston, etc., have returned from France. I have heard 
nothing farther of Porter. Treasurer Gray, Abel Willard, of 
Lancaster, and I, have just come from Salters' Hall Meeting- 
house, where we heard a Mr. Pickard, of Carter-street, near 
St. Paul's. Being down in the city, I took up Molesworth's 
publication, and found it to be the same with what is con- 
tained in the " Ledger." I see that there is an order in the 
papers for all the militia of New- York to be in readiness to 
march. There will probably be warm work. I find that you 
give no account of your situation in your letter. I suppose 
you have found the diamond mine, and choose to engross 
the whole profits. I have paid Col. Pickman as you desired, 
— he made no observations. Mrs. Bray did not know how 
to direct me to pay for the wine and ale, so that remains as 
it was. I should copy all your excuses for your letter, were 
it not that I suppose they are fresh in your memory. I hate 
both writing fairly and copying my own letters particularly. 

I think I have covered the same quantity of paper, and have 

7* 



78 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

therefore a right to close. To conclude, therefore, please re- 
member me to the Doctor. Salute Priscilla and Aquila, and 
all the pretty girls who are in Exon. 

Your very humble servant, 

Thos. Danforth. 



Dear Sir : 



TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

Bristol, August 24, 1776. 



The regret with which I left Sidmouth was in some meas- 
ure balanced by the agreeableness of the day. To pass by our 
first stage, the least amusing, our second, — to moisten our 
driver and horses, for both often want watering, — was on the 
borders of Blackdown, at a place called Southhast, and at 
" the sine of George Inn, heer all sorts of leakers are sold;" 
besides the peculiar taste of the painter in spelling, the let- 
ters were of so doubtful a form that my fellow-traveller, Mr. 
Davis, chose to read " leaky s" which word, (if to be found in 
the Devonshire nomenclature I am ignorant of its meaning,) 
he, being skilled in provincial dialects, may be acquainted 
with. Our third stage was at the Castle Inn, Taunton. On 
our way hither we saw a hill called Quantook, so like our 
Indian names I could not help remarking it. After a small 
delay we proceeded to Hillbishop, and dined at the hospi- 
table table of Mr. Jirrald;^ his good husbandry is fully re- 
paid by a plentiful harvest of apricots, nectarines and apples ; 
nor is his table without the best cider England affords, which 
is scarcely equalled by the most sparkling champagne. Our 
next stage was at Bridgewater. From the inn we walked to 
Miss Sealy's garden, planned to promote the wise purposes 
of thought and meditation. Here we regaled ourselves with 
green gages and gooseberries, the boughs being loaded. At 
the bottom of the garden is a small piece of water filled with 
large carp, brought to the surface by pieces of bread thrown in, 
which they rose to catch ; a pleasing sight I never before had. 
Our next stage was eighteen miles to Cross, where we were 
told the beds were full, and they had no horses ; so we could 



1 A Dissenting minister. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 79 

not pass the night nor be carried further. However, we met 
a friendly stranger in Mr. Cornelius Frye, of Bristol, who 
gave up his room. Here we supped all together, and passed 
our time sociably, talking treason and justifying American 
independence. Next morning we left at seven, and pass- 
ing Clifton, on the left, covered with excellent improve- 
ments, arrived at Bristol, the Bush Inn, opposite the Ex- 
change. Yours, truly, 

S. CURAVEN. 

Bristol, August 24. Called at Mr. Waldo's ; he being 
absent, I left a card. Soon after he came and carried me 
to his house to dinner, in company with John Boylston and 
Mr. Browne ; — after dinner walked over Kingsdown Hill 
to the Hot Wells, on the banks of the Avon, where I took 
a glass of the water and returned to the inn. Soon after 
left for Birmingham, through Newport, Gloucester, and 
Upton, which latter reminded me of the incident of the 
amiable Sophia Western's muff, which Tom Jones picked 
up in his own bed. There are many originals of Squire 
Western, but I am told Mr. Allen, late of Bath, was the 
character from which Mr. Allworthy was drawn. Hence to 
Worcester, a handsome town, wide streets, a fine cathedral 
in good repair, but not abounding in funeral monuments. 
At last we arrived at Birmingham, which, in its general 
appearance, looks more like Boston than any place in Eng- 
land. 

Birmingham, August 26. Hearing that Judge Oliver and 
Mr. Lloyd were in town, I repaired to the inn, but they had 
departed. I met them soon after, as they were leaving town 
for London vid Woodstock, and gave a letter to Mr. Dan- 
forth. 

August 28. Walked out and met a Quaker at the door 
of his house, near the outskirts of the town, on the Litch- 
field road, commanding an agreeable prospect bounded by 
distant hills in an amphitheatric line ; engaged him in con- 
versation, and by invitation went in for half an hour; found 
him a sensible man and a warm American, as most of the 



80 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

middling classes are through the kingdom, as far as my ex- 
perience reaches. Beyond the Tweed, I know not ; however, 
the Scotch within, to my knowledge, are antiministerialists. 
Passed an agreeable day at Mr. Russell's, two miles out of 
town ; he is of the house of Smith, Son & Russell, who 
ship largely to New York and Boston. He has been in 
America, and is her steady and ardent advocate. 

August 31. Stepped to a gunmaker's to see a rifle, (the 
first I ever saw^,) and many other pieces of peculiar construc- 
tion I was a stranger to ; the master is to make six hundred 
rifles for Government, but is in principle an antiministerialist, 
as is the whole town. 

Sept. 6. Sir William Meredith the other day declared, at 
Matlock, that he looked on the violent measures against 
America to be very impolitic, and that Lord North was of 
the same mind, and only joined out of respect for the King, 
who was warm, and determined to pursue such at all events, 
even though with the loss of a hundred thousand men. It 
will be well if a pertinacious adherence to a certain plan of 
conduct respecting that unhappy country be not productive 
of evil fruits to the interests of the King and empire. 
May it please God to infuse wisdom, prudence, and modera- 
tion into the breasts of those on whose counsels the fate of 
both depend. 

Sept. 9. A letter in the " London Chronicle," said to have 
been brought by the Isabella, an advice-boat from Quebec, 
relates a defeat of the Provincials before Crown Point, with 
the loss of eight hundred killed, eight hundred wounded, 
and four hundred taken prisoners; and that the garrison is 
in Gen. Carleton's hands, — said to have been obtained July 
23d ; a story well told, but which wants proof. 

Sept. 10. Was told, as we passed Castle Inn, that Lord 
North was momently expected there from Sandwell, the Earl 
of Dartmouth's seat. 

Sept. 11. Took coach for Bristol by the way of Tewks- 
bury ; met an ofhcer who gave himself great liberties respect- 
ing America, to which I took the freedom of giving several 
severe checks, and my companion spared not till he was 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 81 

thoroughly silenced and humbled ; he said many ungener- 
ous, foolish and false things, and I did not forbear telling 
him so. 

Sept. 16. At 11 o'clock, P. M., departed from Birmingham 
for Bristol ; at Worcester took a relay of horses, and arrived 
at Tewksbury at breakfast ; went to the church, almost the 
magnitude of a cathedral, which contains many curiosities. 
In a flat grave, just before the choir, is buried Prince Henry, 
son of Margaret of Anjou, widow of the unfortunate King 
Henry VI., who was slain by Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 
after the defeat of the Queen at " the battle of the bloody 
meadow," so called from the tradition that it overflowed 
with the blood of the slain on that occasion. Here is, also, 
in a kneeling posture, a statue of George, Duke of Clarence, 
who is said to have been drowned in a butt of malmsey ; 
Richard, Earl of Warwick, the king-maker ; Osrick, a king 
of Northumberland, who founded a church on the spot 
where this church stands. In two hours after leaving this 
place we arrived at Gloucester, and in the cathedral saw 
among many monuments that of the unfortunate King 
Edward II., who was murdered at Berkeley Castle. Here 
also lies another unfortunate prince, Robert, Duke of Nor- 
mandy, whose younger brother, William Rufus, seized the 
crown of England during his absence on a visit to the Holy 
Land. He was imprisoned many years in the Castle of Car- 
diff". Over his grave is a statue in a decumbent posture, 
made of Irish oak, which, when struck, sounds as if of metal. 
This cathedral is kept in fine order; has a vaulted choir, 
and the most elegant cloisters of any in England. Arrived 
at Bristol at 8 o'clock, evening. 

Bristol, Sept. 18. To Ratcliff" Church, supposed to be the 
first in point of elegance and magnitude of all the parish 
churches in England. It has not in its construction one 
nail or piece of iron, being built and supported by stone 
and marble only. It consists of three aisles, besides two pro- 
jections which give it the form of a cross ; in one stands 
a great font, and in the other several funeral monuments. 
Over the altar are placed three masterly paintings by Ho- 



82 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

garth, on the subject of the burial, resurrection, and ascen- 
sion ; for which he received a thousand pounds. 

In this -church lies buried Admiral Penn, with an inscrip- 
tion recounting his exploits on a pillar; and suspended on 
the same pillar below are his military garb, sword, cuirass, 
helmet, gloves, etc. This gentleman's services were rewarded 
by the royal grant of Pennsylvania to his son William Penn, 
the founder of that Province. 

Took tea and passed the evening with Mr. Eveleigh, a 
native of Charleston, South Carolina ; educated at Harvard 
College, three or four years after me, who on hearing my 
name recollected it, having been schooled at Cambridge 
under Master Coolidge and boarded at the President's house. 
He and his family are hearty in the cause of America, 

Sept. 19. Accompanied Mr. Bourne, one of my country- 
men, to the crown-glass manufactory, where the whole proc- 
ess was shown. On 'Change met my countryman, Mr. 
Joseph Waldo, who procured tickets for our admission to 
Mr. Gouldney's grotto at Clifton, with whom, Francis Wal- 
do, and Capt. Aldredge (brother of the late Col. Bradstreet's 
lady, and born in Nova Scotia,) we proceeded over Brandon 
Hill, the summit whereof yields the most ravishing view that 
imagination can form, having a large portion of the city 
under foot ; and a finely cultivated country for an amazing 
extent has the appearance of a continued village, interspersed 
with towns and seats ; the prospect enlivened with live 
hedges, lofty trees, Dumday Tower, Kingwood, and the river 
Avon, running through the city and joined with another 
called the Frome, over both which are bridges ; on the latter 
are the larger ships, and on the former only smaller craft. 
Just as we arrived at the gates, there passed by in his soli- 
tary walk, whom accident threw in our way, a countryman, 
Mr. Harrison Gray, son of our late (Massachusetts) treasurer, 
who, with his wife, had for a season left London and retired 
to this place, and whom I was glad to see. Parting at the 
gate, we were soon admitted, and, attended by the gardener, 
were conducted through the- gravel-walks, kept in the nicest 
order, the whole bearing the appearance of care and indus- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 83 

try. It is on a moderate scale, but w^ell filled with orange 
and lemon-trees, etc. ; and a small piece of water, abounding 
in gold and silver fish, supplied from a natural fountain so 
lofty that a fire-engine is erected at one end of the terrace. 
The stream runs under ground for a distance and discharges 
itself through an urn, on which a Neptune rests with his tri- 
dent. The ground between it and the engine is made rough, 
scraggy, and woody, to resemble a wilderness, which I passed 
going through the main walk. We arrived at the door of the 
grotto, situated under the terrace. The object that presented 
itself to our view was a lion, in a sitting posture ; and behind, 
in a dark cave, a lioness, — the latter so like life that I could 
hardly persuade myself to the contrary. The form of the 
grotto is octangular, its roof a semicircle, having a dome 
with a round window in the centre ; the diameter about 
twenty feet on each side, from the door in front to the mouth 
of the cave in which the lioness is sitting ; to the right and 
left of the entrance the roof is supported by pillars. Covered 
as its roof and sides are with a variety of shells, stones, 
spars, petrifactions, etc., the mountains, even the bowels of 
the earth and the bottom of the sea, seem to have been pil- 
laged to furnish materials to adorn this curious subterrane- 
ous recess. On the left hand, beyond the dome and under a 
rough, cragged stone arch, is a small quadrangular stone 
basin of water supplied by small streams, issuing through 
almost imperceptible channels, over which, in a lying pos- 
ture, is a female deity. On the other hand stands a door, 
the light and shade of which is so artfully painted that it 
deceived the company, who thought it a passage into the 
garden on a flight of stairs ; the most perfect deception I 
ever saw. On the door was a ministure of a female face 
with a seemingly broken glass covering it, in the same style 
and manner, and producing the like effect. From hence we 
ascended the terrace-walk four hundred feet in length, the 
front of the garden raised forty feet supported by a brick 
wall ; the rear bounded by a border of flowers, and behind a 
shrubbery of lofty trees. On the right is an octangular 
structure ending in a dome eighteen feet in diameter, with 



84 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

seats all round, and having as many windows as it has 
sides, which affords as many prospects, except on the side of 
the garden, where they are darkened, yielding three delight- 
ful perspectives. 

Leaving this charming spot and Clifton, I bade adieu to 
my companions, and after dinner I departed for Shepton 
Mallet, and on my arrival met my friend and countryman, 
Mr. Isaac Smith. Thus ends my ramble for a few weeks. 

Shepton Mallet, Sept. 20. Walked to the market-cross, an 
open structure supported by Gothic arches and pillars, and 
ornamented in front by a few mutilated statues, but whether 
of saints or heroes of antiquity, I know not. A few gentle- 
men of fortune live here, but many worthy clothiers ; there 
are two places of worship, an Episcopal and a Presbyterian, 
and the number of inhabitants is said to be seven thousand. 
A Mr. Ames, with whom I am acquainted, lives here on his 
six hundred a year. 

Sept. 23. Rode through Lord Ilchester's park, passing by 
the late Lord Berkeley's estate, and through a vale to Lord 
Arundel's. One passes on a flight of noble steps to the cen- 
tre door letting into the hall; — the wails are adorned with 
paintings of the most celebrated artists. There is a cabi- 
net of Pope Sixtus Quintus, which stands on a mahogany 
frame ; the front is of ebony ; and amber pillars, set with 
sapphires, emeralds and other precious stones, and miniatures 
of all the Perotti family from which he sprang, — elegantly 
executed in white alabaster. In the drawers are prints of 
the principal royal and noble families of Europe, in metal 
frames. 

In these grounds is an airy cross, bought of the city of 
Bristol and transported here ; in the Gothic style, four stories ; 
in each are four niches filled with kings in their regalia, sup- 
posed to have been benefactors to the city; the names in 
part are, Henry VI., Edward IV., John, Charles I., and II., 
and Queen Elizabeth. It is finely decorated, and in the 
highest preservation. 

Procured a guide to attend us to Alfred's Tower, which 
we intended to visit before taking leave of Stourton. We 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 85 

soon arrived at Inson Hill, on whose summit stands the tower, 
and which is said to be the spot on which Alfred erected his 
standard against the Danes ; mostly a terraced walk. The 
tower, an open triangular structure, the angles covered by- 
round towers ; in one is a flight of 221 steps, making 155 feet 
in height ; on this is a sound balcony of 20 feet high ; on the 
top a kind of cross standing on a globe. The entrance into 
it is through a Gothic arched door ; ten feet above is a stone 
niche under a finely ornamented arch. In the centre is a 
Saxon crown supported by double Gothic pillars ; on each 
side stands the statue of Alfred in military habiliments and 
larger than life, holding a sceptre in his right hand, his left 
resting on a sword. Below is a tablet, on which is the fol- 
lowing : — 

IN MEMORY OF 

ALFRED THE GREAT, 

WHO ON THIS SUMMIT ERECTED HIS STANDARD AGAINST DANISH INVADERS. 
HE INSTITUTED JURIES, ESTABLISHED A MILITIA, 
CREATED AND EXERTED A NAVAL FORCE; 
A PHILOSOPHER AND A CHRISTIAN ; 

THE FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE, 

THE FOUNDER OF THE ENGLISH MONARCHY AND 

LIBERTY. 

Leaving this grateful monument, dedicated to the memory 
of the most deserving monarch England ever saw, I returned 
home. 

Sept. 25. To the Poor-House to see the spinning-jennies, 
which of late, through the folly and madness of the spinners 
and weavers, have been the occasion of a riot in this town, 
which a party of dragoons were called in to quell, who are 
yet continued to prevent future ones ; three were killed and 
a number wounded, and but for the Government orders to 
avoid bloodshed, more would have been. These machines 
are to twist the threads after the first course run from the 
common wheels, which despatch about three or four times as 
fast as by hand in the customary way. They have been in 
use some years in the North, and a premium obtained for 

8 



86 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

them from the Society of Arts and Sciences. They contain 
thirty-six spindles turned by a common axis, communicating 
with a wheel placed horizontally. 

Sept. 28. Walked with Mr. Morgan over the hills to the 
remains of a Roman-way ; the ditch continues, although in 
an imperfect state, and is carried over Mendip Hill, run- 
ning from north to south, and from shore to shore. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 87 



CHAPTER III. 

A. D. 17 76. Visits Bath. Meets Col. Saltonstall and Mr. Boylston. 
Longleat, Seat of Lord Weymouth. Glastonbury Abbey Ruins. Bridge- 
water. Enmore Castle, Seat of Earl Egniont. Taunton. Sidmoutb. 
Slade. Dr. Shebbeare. Supposed Danish Encampment at Hembury. 
Admiral Graves. Exeter. News from New York in " Bristol Gazette." 
Election of Member of Parliament at Exeter. Candidates Baring and 
Cholwich. Visits Lord Courtenay's Belvidere. Birthplace of Sir Francis 
Drake. News from America. Rumors of War between England and 
France. Electioneering in England. Remarks on Election at Exeter. 
Baring ele<;ted. Advices from Gen. Burgoyne. Report of Washington's 
Defeat at Kingsbridge. Remarks on the Tone of Englishmen towards 
America, and Vindication of the Latter. Letters to George Russell, 
William Pynchon, and Judge Sewall. 

Shepton Mallet, Oct. 1. Rode to Bath ; large meeting of 
clothiers from neighboring towns in Somerset and Wiltshire, 
to concert measures to establish, if practicable, the use of the 
spinning-jenny in these parts, which the weavers raised a 
mob to prevent. Two companies of dragoons are posted in 
this town for security of the manufacturers against the in- 
fatuated multitude. Met Col. Saltonstall, who, with Mr. 
Boylston, has taken lodgings here for some time past. De- 
parted for Lord Weymouth's seat, called Longleat ; his 
grounds contain the whole parish of Horningsham. Over 
the entrance in front is the date, as follows : — '■'■ Erected by 
Sir John Thi/nne, 1569." The front is an addition to the old 
structure, the remains of a Carthusian monastery standing 
round a large square court. Within are pictures of Henry 
VIH. ; Sir Thomas Overbury ; Lord Strafford, beheaded in 
the time of Charles I. ; Henry IV. of France ; Charles I. 
when Prince of Wales, and his brother James II. when Duke 
of York ; General Monck ; Charles II. and his Queen ; 



88 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Archbishop Juxton ; Mary Queen of Scots ; Robert Dud- 
ley, Earl of Leicester ; Lady Nottingham; Archbishop Laud; 
Cardinal Richelieu ; Sir Thomas Graham ; Count Tekeli 
and lady. 

Oct. 11. Visited Glastonbury Abbey ruins, attended by a 
guide named Thomas, who is as great a curiosity as the 
ruins; for we had no sooner entered on the holy ground than 
he doffed his beaver and hugged it under his arm, while 
with a solemn tone and manner indicative of unshaken faith 
in the legendary tales which the folly of credulity and super- 
stition have handed down, by oral tradition as well as books, 
through a long succession of ages, he began by informing us 
of some circumstances relative to a chapel standing entire, 
which I had no wish to enter, nor do 1 remember the tale. 
Proceeding on we approached the walls of the chapel in 
ruins, but not so much as to prevent a perfect idea of the size. 
Making a sudden stop, our guide told us, with a solemn 
voice, that the ground we stood on was twenty-two feet above 
the natural surface, raised by the rubbish from the monas- 
tery ; which, if true, is a proof of the immensity of the build- 
ing and the uncommon thickness of its walls, the site of 
which covers fifteen to twenty acres. Descending to the lower 
chapel, at present filled with dirt to the capitals of the pillars, 
eight feet, this he told us was the spot where Joseph of 
Arimathea built a chapel of hurdles and boughs of trees, 
twenty-three years after the crucifixion. In the upper chapel 
remain the niches and pedestals on which stood the images 
of saints, of solid gold. 

After hearing many tedious stories and incredibilities, we 
proceeded to survey the outside, dormitory, chapter-house, 
etc. In the centre of the east end stood the chapel of the 
first Saxon Christian King of this island ; from whence 
through the ruins, at a considerable distance, is to be seen 
the further or western end of the double chapel we first 
entered ; both side-walls are standing up to the roof, and 
part of the eastern wall, under an arch of eighty feet in 
height, and fifty in width, entire all but the crown. The 
sight of this brought to my mind the magnificent ruins of 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 89 

Palmyra, although its ornaments were not of such exquisite 
workmanship ; these being Gothic, but highly finished. 
Near an angle at the eastern end stands a small room ; 
lately this was turned into a cow-house, but not one of the 
brutal intruders survived a year, as the guide informed us of 
his own certain knowledge. 

Within this holy ground is the holy thorn-tree. I had 
liberty to pluck a branch, proposing to preserve it till my 
arrival in America, (if it shall please God to grant me that 
favor.) The three trees now standing, blossom yearly within 
the Christmas holy-days, which it is the peculiar quality of 
this species to do, without supposing a miracle ; but the 
craft of these reverend impostors knew very well how to turn 
a natural event into something miraculous, and the supersti- 
tious folly and ignorance of the multitude for a long course 
of ages has confirmed them in the same groundless notions. 

We arrived soon at a pleasant road, having in view ex- 
tensive prospects of waste lands, called moors ; ascending a 
lofty ridge on the left, lay that called King's Sedgemoor, 
remarkable for the defeat of the Duke of Monmouth by his 
uncle. King James the Second. From hence, on one of 
these hills, is to be seen the obelisk erected to the memory of 
the late Sir William Pynsent by the Earl of Chatham ; a 
cheap purchase of an estate of eighty thousand pounds, 
besides ten thousand in money, left to a man the testator 
never saw. The stage from Glastonbury to Bridgewater 
throughout, extremely pleasant ; the distance of fifteen miles 
we passed in an hour and a half ; thence to Enmore Castle 
about four miles, a seat of the Earl of Egmont, which is 
built in the form of the ancient baronial castles. Leaving 
this imitation of old English architecture, we rode to Castle 
Inn, Taunton, where we lodged : next day to Sidmouth. 

Sidmouth, Oct. 13. Attended worship at my friend Mr. 
Isaac Smith's, who preached from these words, " The Lord 
is my portion,^'' which was the last sermon he preached in 
America ; the congregation the largest I had known since 
my residence here. 

Oct. 17. Rode to Slade, the seat of a Mr. Lee, one of 
8* 



90 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Mr. Smith's hearers, who purchased of the father of the 
famous Dr. Shebbeare, one of the writers for the Court 
against America. Took a stroll to the cliffs on the seaside, 
yielding a delightful prospect. 

Oct. 18. Rode out to view an ancient encampment, sup- 
posed Danish, and is called Hembury, about fourteen miles. 
Fording the gentle stream of Syd, we pursued our course 
over Cove Hill, so called, being a lofty range, affording on 
each side very pleasant views of a finely improved country ; 
here we met a number of huntsmen on foot, with their long 
poles and a great number of dogs, at default, unable to 
recover the track of the hare, which had found means to 
elude the dogs' scent. A little beyond the village of Bur- 
cherton is the seat of the well-known Admiral Graves, whose 
base, unworthy conduct in America has justly brought the 
curses of the people on his head, displeased his sovereign 
and the ministry, and rendered himself deservedly the con- 
tempt of all. His house is at the foot of the hill on which 
Hembury fort stands. This fort is situated on the extremity 
of a lofty ridge of hills, in a parish of the same name, four 
miles north of Honiton, and is supposed to have been a 
Danish encampment, (formed in one of their incursions, 
about a thousand years ago,) from its roundish form, the 
Roman being all angular; there are many such in these 
parts, though few so entire. Its form is a very long oval ; 
and measures, from the low parapet or line of raised earth 
on the northeasterly quarter at its further end, to the edge or 
brow of the ditch at the southwesterly, (in which direction 
it runs exclusive of the ditches athwart the hill, to defend or 
secure the centre enclosure,) about a thousand feet ; and the 
width of the hill on its summit on which the encampment 
stands, with the middle included, is about a hundred feet. 
It stands very high, and commands a view of the vales on 
each side to a great extent. From the foot of the hill in 
front, for a considerable distance on either side, it is of a 
quick ascent ; but from the foot of the hill in front there is 
an easy slope, as regular as a glacis, although of ten times 
its length and breadth ; the rest of this long range, in a cir- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 91 

cular form, rises from the plains below as far as the eye can 
discern, regularly and sudden, rendering the approach dif- 
ficult, except from the summit, which is continued to a great 
extent. There are three fosses carried nine feet round the 
encampment, the last deeper and wider than the rest; the 
slope is about sixty feet. The earth-wall, if it may be so 
called, contains fifteen to twenty acres. Here may be traced 
the foundations of one or two buildings, which spot, I 
presume, was the officers' tents, the place of arms and mag- 
azine. The avenue on the south side, for there is but one, 
communicates with a walk runnin.Q: the whole width of the 
hill, and is bounded by a parapet of raised earth, at twenty 
feet from the entrance into the middle enclosure ; between 
this and the brow of the hill at the southwest, is, I suppose, 
the encampment of the army, and here may be seen the 
effects of labor ; but what were the works, enough does not 
remain to enable us to judge. Having surveyed these re- 
mains of ancient military defence, we descended by the com- 
mon road, and arrived at home in about three hours. 

Oct. 20. Mr. Samuel Follett drank tea with us ; he is an 
old Newfoundland trader ; was in New England in 1726, and 
built a ship at Charlestown. 

Exeter^ Oct. 26. In the " Bristol Gazette " is the follow- 
ing : — " Gen. Howe had landed the British Army on the 
island of New- York on the loth September ; the Provincials 
had fled from the city, with great precipitation and much 
loss, towards Kingsbridge, where they were entrenched, to 
the number of twenty thousand. Gen. Howe, having taken 
possession of New- York, was encamped with his army of 
twenty-two thousand within cannon-shot of the Americans, 
and it was hourly expected he would make a grand attack 
upon them." This intelligence came by the Hanover Planter 
to Bristol, who spoke with the Galatea, Capt. Jordan, who 
left New- York the 17th of September. The unaccountable 
story of abandoning New- York, without a formal attack 
made on it, needs explanation ; no doubt there were justi- 
fiable reasons for it. 

Oct. 29. A busy week here, many persons daily arriving 



92 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

from all quarters, at the instance and charge of the competi- 
tors, Baring and Cholwich, who are up for the representation 
of this city in Parliament in room of Mr. Waters. The 
hands of the city officers are fully occupied in making out 
freedoms to those who have a right to it. The dispute runs 
high: " Cholwich forever I ^^ momently bawled ; ^^ Baring- 1" 
not so often, though many think he may carry his election ; 
papers are printed and public houses kept open by both, at 
great expense. The joke would be complete should an 
unthought-of rival step in and succeed. 

Oct. 30. Rode out to Lord Courtenay's Belvidere, (about 
seven miles,) a triangular structure of Portland stone ; from 
the top is an extensive prospect, having on one side Exeter, 
Topsham, and several seats; on the other, Lympstone, Ex- 
mouth, Star Cross, Lord Courtenay's seat. Gov. Pawke's, a 
nabob late of Madras, the river Exe from near its mouth, 
and vessels in the channel ; and, w^hat is more curious, the 
house wherein the great Sir Francis Drake was born and 
lived, situated on the other side of the river, opposite the 
Belvidere. 

Oct. 31. Mr. Shepard tells me there is great danger of a 
French war ; may the nation be preserved from this dreadful 
calamity. 

TO THE HON. JUDGE SEWALL, BROMPTON-ROW, LONDON. 

Exeter, Oct. 31, 1776. 
Dear Sir : 

By a letter from Mr. Dan forth I was informed some of my 
countrymen were about to apply to the Administration for 
relief. As my residence has been much longer than the 
most, and the suddenness of my departure from home 
rendering it morally impossible for me to become possessed 
of much money, and my pretensions, for aught I know, 
being as good as any and better than many, I presume I 
shall not be the only exile left in a forlorn condition if any 
provision be made ; and if never made, forlorn I shall truly 
be, my finances every day very sensibly lessening. Had I 
received Mr. Deberdt's letter in time I should have returned 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 93 

to London, but it was otherwise ; and if my presence now 
can be dispensed with, it will be more agreeable, as I live 
pleasantly enough among a few acquaintances, at the rate 
of twenty guineas a year, in a state of rigid economy that I 
never before was reduced to the necessity of putting in 
practice. 

In my answer to Mr. Deberdt, I referred him to you, 
whose friendship on this occasion I doubted not; nor need I 
now repeat my request of your assistance if that shall be 
necessary. With great regard, etc. 

S. CURWEN. 

Nov. 1. I was informed that a messenger froni General 
Howe had jast passed through the city, with advice that the 
Provincial entrenchments, containing nine thousand men 
from New York, were forced. General Washington wounded 
and taken, and ten thousand men on both sides killed ; some 
other circumstances are brought, but not to be divulged till 
six hours after the messenger's departure from Exeter. 
Should this news prove true, I wish it may not puff the 
British General with pride, and fill him with false notions 
of the unequalled prowess and invincibility of the British 
troops, nor indispose him to offer moderate terms; and I 
trust Congress may be willing to prevent further effusion of 
blood and destruction of property, by hearkening to reasona- 
ble proposals, which I hope the House have authority'' to 
make. 

Nov. 2. It is obvious the Government is apprehensive of 
a rupture; saying, "it is expedient we should be in a 
respectable state of defence." The truth is there have been 
some discouraging accounts from France for this week past, 
respecting the intentions of that Court to assist the Colonies, 
and advices from Spain say their ports are declared open to 
the English Colonists. Upon these events press-warrants are 
dispersed through this kingdom, and eight hundred were 
taken on the Thames in one day into the service, and five 
pounds per man are offered for able-bodied sailors. The 
report of yesterday is contradicted in part ; Gen. Washing- 



94 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

ton is not taken, but six thousand Americans, and but two 
thousand British. This wants confirmation. It is also 
added that part of the Provincials only were engaged ; a 
lame account. The fears of some and the hopes of others, 
dispose the people to the belief of any improbabilities, nay, 
self-evident falsehoods. 

Nov. 6. The important day has at length arrived — the 
election of a Member to Parliament ; the city alive, except 
myself, who am dead to curiosity. Interest, and the hope of 
victory, have inspired all here with ardor. It is amusing to 
see how warmly their passions are engaged. 

Read "Sharp's Travels in Italy;" entertaining enough; 
his style not above mediocrity; his picture of the country, if 
just, must render his own more dear to those who know how 
to make a just estimate of all the valuable enjoyments of life. 
In reading the above I learn that in the State of Florence 
are nearly twenty-seven thousand of the holy order, or if you 
please, the ecclesiastical troops, who are under a solemn vow 
of obedience to a foreign potentate ; these, with their connec- 
tions, relations and dependencies, render the authority of the 
civil power extremely precarious in case they unite with a 
discontented party. 

Amongst other instances of management in electioneering, 
is the practice of closeting and locking up, — beds being 
provided in secure apartments to prevent the voters being 
spirited away to the other side, of which there have been 
some instances, after the expense of fetching them in from 
distant parts. To prevent confusion and injustice, in the 
present election, it is agreed to vote by tallies, that is, each 
candidate to present by turns a certain number, say ten or 
twenty. The majority of the City Chamber is for Cholwich ; 
the Church for Baring, whose managers are the most opulent, 
active and knowing ; the contest fierce, some wounds and 
broken heads, but no deaths ; enough to convince me of the 
deplorable venality of the nation, and the high expectations 
derivable from a seat in that Assembly of untutored, inex- 
perienced youths, (for half, I believe, have not seen thirty,) 
called the Parliament of Great Britain, or the great Council 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 95 

of the nation. The number of voters in this city is about 
fourteen hundred ; and I am told two hundred of the most 
solid, judicious and prudent, thinking neither of the candi- 
dates suitable, decline any concern, it being immaterial to 
them whether Baring or Cholwich be the tool of Adminis- 
tration. The charge on each side, five thousand pounds, is 
doubtless intended to be reimbursed from the national fund, 
for (not their services but) their votes ! Would to God 
this great source of ministerial power and influence, and the 
increasing cause of our public evils, the national debt, was 
reduced to a moderate sum. A sponge is dreadful in thought, 
and would be the ruin of some millions of innocent widows 
and orphans. May that be prevented by a wise and prudent 
expedient, if within the compass of human knowledge and 
power. May a public and disinterested spirit spring up and 
yet be the stability of our times. 

Nov. 8. By the " Gazette " the wonderful account brought 
from America is, as usual, greatly diminished respecting the 
valor and bravery of one side, number of slain, etc. on the 
other ; 6000 Provincials and 2000 Regulars are reduced to 400 
Provincials and 15 Regulars ! ! However, by the same intelli- 
gence, it seems one quarter of New York is burnt, and some 
lurkers menace the destruction of the whole city, to prevent 
which Gen. Howe is using assiduous endeavors to discover 
these incendiaries and prevent the intended conflagration. 

Nov. 9. Walked out to the Guildhall to see the conclu- 
sion of the poll, ended by the sheriff's declaring Mr. Baring 
duly elected ; the excess being one hundred and one votes. 
The unsuccessful candidate, Mr. Cholwich, supported by the 
City Chamber, went home to put as good a face on their dis- 
appointment as they could, amidst loud huzzas, flags dis- 
played, having various devices, of which two were as fol- 
lows : — the one divided into four compartments, between 
each half the word " Cholwich,''^ and in the compartments "iVb 
bribery ; " the other was the coat-armor of his father-in-law, 
(that is to be,) Sir John Duntze, properly emblazoned, and 
in a scroll underneath, these words, '■'■Free and independent^ 
Mr. Baring, as ,is usual, was accompanied by a numerous 



96 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

crowd, said to be ten thousand, huzzaing, clapping hands, 
etc. The house he adjourned to was in the yard next to 
ours ; and, to honor him, variegated lamps were suspended 
in front, forming these words, — ^'■Baring' forever ! " sur- 
mounted by a crown. The evening closed with a grand dis- 
play of fireworks. 

Nov. 11. Mr. Baring's friends wear favors of blue and 
purple ribbons, and some ladies wear an emblematical device, 
in allusion to the successful candidate's name, being a bear 
with a ring in his nose, enamelled, pendant on a blue ribbon. 
The day was ushered in by music and a procession, with 
flags inscribed '■^Baring and Trade ! " The inhabitants of this 
city appear proud, unsocial and solitary, neither conversable 
nor hospitable ; but a few unceremonious, hearty friends will 
render any place tolerable, and such for that reason is this 
city for the present. 

Nov. 26. A report prevails that Gen. Burgoyne has de- 
stroyed all the Provincial forces on the lake. 

The later advice is, that Gen. Burgoyne became master 
of the lake by taking, burning and destroying the naval force 
on the 12th ult. 

Dec. 3. This day is published a single sheet letter from a 
master of a transport, giving account of the defeat of Pro- 
vincials at Kingsbridge by Gen. Howe, he having forced the 
entrenchments, killing, wounding and taking eight thousand 
with a loss of two thousand only, on the 17th October ; the 
remainder supposed to be fled to Philadelphia. 

Sunday, Dec. 8. Mr. Towgood preached an excellent dis- 
course, from Isaiah Ivii. 15. In his prayer the most just and 
proper expression for the King and Royal family, and all in 
authority, both as ministers of state and executive officers ; 
and although a warm and hearty advocate for America, and 
her claims of exemption from British legislation, right of 
taxation, yet moderate and dutiful enough for me, who am 
far removed from wishing its entire independence ; for it is 
my firm belief it would sooner bring on oppression and tyr- 
anny there than the former right allowed in its full extent. 
May it please God to prevent both; may the unreasonable 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 97 

and baneful wishes and attempts of all violent men be dis- 
appointed. 

Dec. 13. The State fast, appointed by the King's procla- 
mation, on account of the American war. Bishop Keppel 
preached from Dent, xxxiii. 27, " The eternal God is thy ref- 
uge," etc. ; a seasonable and candid discourse. He calls this 
" a Civil war" and the Americans " our unhappy fellow-sub- 
jects:" attempted no justification of the measures of Govern- 
ment. I was pleased with his candor and judgment. 

Dec. 18. By a Mr. Lloyd of the 20th Regiment, just ar- 
rived in the Lord Howe frigate from Quebec, and who was 
on the lake with Burgoyne and Carleton, a report is brought 
that a merchantman met the Active frigate at sea, and 
learned that Gen. Washington had abandoned the lines at 
Kingsbridge, left his cannon and stores, and that his army is 
mouldered away ; that New York, New Jersey, Pennsylva- 
nia, and Maryland have deserted the Union, and declared for 
Government ; speaks of the Yankees, as he is pleased to call 
them, in the most contemptuous terms, as cowards, poltroons, 
cruel, and possessing every bad quality the depraved heart 
can be cursed with ; and says the Regulars at Trois-Rivieres 
took five hundred prisoners, killed one hundred, and lost only 
three men, who were killed by Yankees, who had got upon 
trees and fired down on them. 

It is my earnest wish the despised Americans may con- 
vince these conceited islanders, that, without regular stand- 
ing armies, our continent can furnish brave soldiers and judi- 
cious and expert commanders, by some knock-down, irref- 
ragable argument; for then, and not till then, may we 
expect generous or fair treatment. It piques my pride, I 
confess, to hear us called " our Colonies, our Plantations" in 
such terms and with such airs as if our property and persons 
were absolutely theirs, like the " villains " and their cottages 
in the old feudal system, so long since abolished, though the 
spirit or leaven is not totally gone, it seems. 

9 



98 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

TO MR. GEORGE RUSSELL, AT MOSELEY WAKE GREEN, 
NEAR BIRMINGHAM, 

Exeter, December, 20, 1776. 
Dear Sir : 

I have delayed answering you till this time from an hourly 
expectation of hearing some important advices from New 
York ; but in this I have been hitherto mistaken, the season 
having too far advanced to expect any military achievements 
by the British forces, and the Americans you •know have 
formed no active plan of operation by land ; confining their 
views of activity to the depredatory naval department. As 
to a treaty, I am without the smallest hopes of its taking 
place at present ; the Americans do not despair of maintain- 
ing their independence, and the Court, I am told, has not 
given up its view of laying America at its feet, for such is 
and has been the Court language, and the intention to force 
her to submit to the unconditional authority of Parliament ; 
— however, should Gen. Washington be beaten out of his 
entrenchments, it would be but one advantage out of a score 
that must be gained to make them " lower their topsails." 
The Americans are not without resources, whatever may be 
thought on that subject in England. 

Among others France and Spain are no idle lookers on ; 
resentment as well as political reasons influence them to 
keep the trammels on the neck of our Court till a favorable 
opportunity may offer to strike a blow which shall effectually 
humble the pride of Great Britain, perhaps destroy her inde- 
pendence, or at best reduce her to a state of as little impor- 
tance in the grand political balance of Europe as Portugal 
or Genoa now holds ; and that is the general opinion here, 
whatever may be the opinion elsewhere. As to the objects 
of the impolicy of our Court, we know from history, that 
statesmen to gain a present purpose sometimes disregard 
the true interests and honor of the nation and all distant 
consequences. The King of Spain is England's avowed 
enemy ; the Court owes this country a grudge for her suc- 
cess against her commerce and garrisons last war ; nor does 
France love her better ; and ever since her open opposition 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 99 

to the ambitious views of that Court in the beginning of 
Louis XlVth's reign, who aimed at universal empire, has 
looked on her rising greatness with a jealous, not to say 
envious eye. It is no proof of want of bravery in the 
Americans not to face the Regulars ; many good reasons 
may be assigned to justify their conduct, and though it be 
the ground of much reproach here, I see in it the effect 
of sound judgment. That little dependence can be placed 
on newly raised troops is well known the w^orld over. On 
account of the amazing expense with which Great Britain 
carries on a land war in America, unless she can com- 
mand the troops of Europe and the wealth of the Indies, 
men and money must in a few campaigns be wanting. With 
regard to the insidious offers made to America, as the warm . 
partisans against the Court call them, I pretend not to such 
acquaintance with Court measures to determine about it; if 
they be so, the greater is the pity. They may, however, if 
that should be the case, be taken in the snares laid for others, 
and if good be derived from evil, thanks to an overruling 
Providence, who sometimes makes itself subservient to the 
happiness of society. That more treasure must be con- 
sumed and more blood spilled before this impolitic, destruc- 
tive and fatal war is ended, will, I trust, not prove a mel- 
ancholy truth. 

The accounts of the burning of the city of New York in 
the " Gazette," are full, explicit and intelligible ; more than 
one fourth is destroyed, beginning at the fort and all along 
the Broadway, taking in the college, etc. ; and that it was 
fired by some Northern man, is undoubted. A Mr. Smith, 
son of a clergyman of Weymouth, in Massachusetts Bay, 
whom and whose family I knew very well, was concerned, 
taken, and I believe executed on due proof. 

I remain, truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

Exeter^ Dec. 21. I am informed that, by a letter from an 
officer of character, Arnold and the Provincials are repre- 
sented as behaving with great intrepidity and good con- 



100 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

duct ; and their defeat was owing to the superior weight of 
metal on the side of their enemies. I am rejoiced to find 
justice done my countrymen, and that there are those who 
can look through the vista of party, see truth and speak it. 
The news of the defeat of General Washington at Kings- 
bridge is confirmed. 

Dec. 22. The above defeat is not very important, save 
the loss of cannon ; few prisoners taken, fewer killed, the 
retreat not deficient in military skill on the side of the Pro- 
vincials, nor much to the reputation of the British General; a 
rencounter not badly nor unsuccessfully conducted on the 
American side. 

Dec. 23. The unimportant, insignificant, fribbling Gover- 
nor of Virginia is come back to England. 

Dec. 26. Lord Barrington in his private judgment con- 
demns the present war as unjust, and will prove ineffectual, 
but votes with Government, as a Minister of State. 

TO THE HON. JUDGE SEWALL. 

Exeter, Dec. 31, 1776. 
Dear Sir : 

My little bark is in imminent hazard of being stranded 
unless the wind shifts quickly, or some friendly boat appears 
for its relief. In plain English, my purse is nearly empty ; 
which circumstance has of late frequently reminded me of 
an emblematical device in the beginning of" Fuller's History 
of the Holy Wars," wherein on the right is a purse distended 
with gold and standing upright, on the left the same turned 
upside down, in a lank condition, emptied wholly of its con- 
tents, with these words under the former, " loe ivent out full ^"^ 
and under the latter, " we returned empty." I do not know 
but I am departed from my country, family and friends, on 
as foolish and fantastic grounds as the misguided devotees 
of that time did to rescue the Holy Land from infidels, 
though on opposite principles, I confess ; they to fight, I to 
avoid fighting. I now begin to tremble lest the same fate 
awaits me that befell them. I dislike the motives of the 
chief agents in America, and their whole system from its first 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 101 

small beginnings to its full monstrous growth of indepen- 
dency ; and I trust from a very just motive, love of my coun- 
try ; which this place I am convinced has no tendency to 
promote the welfare of. But what of that ? It is my duty, 
and sure the State is not to reward the loyalty of every sub- 
ject ; the Court in this case would have more than enough to 
do to satisfy the demands of all claimants. 

I cannot foresee what I may hereafter do, but easily that 
I must suffer hunger and nakedness in the comfortless 
mansions of the wretched. These ideas I have not been 
accustomed to associate. Seneca and many moral writers, 
heathen as well as Christian, with all the fathers of the 
Church, luxuriating in the midst of plenty, have furnished 
the world with elaborate, entertaining, and edifying treatises 
on contentment, and the duty of submission and resignation 
under pain, sickness, and poverty with her long train of hor- 
rors, and really they are amusing to a mind at ease and free 
from the apprehensions of suffering, and make a pretty figure 
on paper ; but book philosophy and practical philosophy dif- 
fer from each other widely. Let Seneca and the long list of 
moralists be brought to the mouth of the cave of poverty ; 
let hunger, thirst and nakedness, in all their grisly, terrifying 
shapes stare them in the face, then let them, if they can, 
exemplify these ideal doctrines ; let a man pricked, torn, 
goaded, and surrounded by the briers and thorns sown thick 
in the path of poverty, take out his table-book and write a 
treatise on contentment and submission to these severities 
of his lot, and with a face of composure be able to recom- 
mend the pleasing doctrines by his own example, I will be- 
lieve the existence of such a singular phenomenon ; but till 
I can see such an instance in real life, which I never yet 
have seen, I must doubt the existence of it anywhere but in 
books and systems. Human practice knows no such airy no- 
tions. History tells of savages singing amid tortures, but the 
instances of unfeeling savages are the instances of unfeeling 
savages only ; civilized societies furnished with the means 
and comforts and elegancies of life, afford no instances of 

such barbarous insensibilities. Job, indeed, is recommended 
9* 



102 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

as a pattern to be imitated for patience under the grievous 
sufferings of loss of property and pain ; but he, as was nat- 
ural to expect in his wretchedness, cursed the day of his 
birth, and who can express himself with more impatience? 
Poverty with all her attendant evils, to one unaccustomed to 
her presence till old age, is too formidable to be vanquished 
by philosophy and religion ; nor is there a mind in such a 
situation, in its own natural forces, capable of supporting 
itself, and not bending under the weight of grief and despair. 
My doctrine perhaps you may refuse your assent to, but I 
have said nothing my reason doth not dictate in the coolest 
hours of reflection. On the present occasion I feel the force 
of these truths in a much more striking manner. With re- 
spect to my circumstances, I will just add that several of my 
letters containing orders for remittances were intercepted, by 
order, I suppose, of the Amphyctionic States of America, or 
the lesser hogan mogans of some particular colony, by which 
manoeuvre my friends knew no more of my circumstances 
than if I was in the region of the moon. 

The melancholy event in your family drew from my eyes 
the tears of sympathy, well knowing the grief of a tender 
parent for the loss of a beloved offspring ; and if you will 
not apply to me Augustus's answer to the Trojan ambassador, 
I will add, you may believe with sincerity, my real and un- 
feigned grief at the loss, which I pray God to support you 
under. Yours, etc. 

S. CURWEN. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 103 



CHAPTER IV. 

A. D. 1777. Author completes his Sixty-first Year. Remarks on the Com- 
mencement of the New Year. Letters. Dr. Dodd's Case. Visits Plym- 
outh. Exeter. Bristol. Journey to London. Engages Lodgings at 
Brompton-Row, near London. Dines with Gov. Hutchinson. Meets B. 
Hallowell. Thomas Russell. Visits Christ Church Hospital. The Insti- 
tution described. Visits Cromwell's Garden in company with Judge 
Sewall and Abel Willard. Attends New England Club at Mr. Blowers's. 
Dines with Harrison Gray. Letter to Rev. Isaac Smith on American 
Affairs. 

Exeter^ Jan. 1, 1777. This day is very near the commence- 
ment of my sixty-second year, being three days later ; my 
birthday was the 28th ult. ; may this year be more produc- 
tive of moral improvement than my last was, and if it shall 
please the righteous Disposer of human events to continue 
the dark cloud now hanging over me another year, may He 
support me under the dispensation, and enable me to dis- 
charge my duty, if not with alacrity, with composure and 
an unreluctant temper. 

Jan. 5. Attended worship at Bow-church. Mr. Manning 
preached a pleasing discourse on ^^ friendship,''^ which, like all 
fine pictures, was too highly colored and above life. 

TO THOMAS DANFORTH, ESQ., LONDON. 

Exeter, Jan. 11, 1777. 
Dear Sir : 

The success of the British arms does not raise my hopes ; 
the political States of America have resources much greater 
than you and I may be acquainted with. The courts of 
France and Spain are too vigilant to let slip so fair an occa- 
sion of revenging themselves for the losses and disgraces of 



104 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

their fleets and armies, sustained from British troops last 
war, not to avail themselves of this conjuncture. The ad- 
vices from both countries but too justly afford shrewd sus- 
picions of their unfriendly designs towards Great Britain, 
and God only knows the consequences ; the Colonies may 
be lost, and Great Britain, perhaps, in the event, may be 
very well off" if she can maintain her own independence. 
These are suggestions of a mind in quite a different state 
from your " head-quarter " folks, who, in our country lan- 
guage, count their chickens before they are hatched. If they 
would deign to take me into their counsels, I should advise 
them to be more sure of a victory before they celebrate the 
triumph. The continuance of our evils is, to my sickly imag- 
ination, much longer than the Court conceives ; but what is 
to become of me in the mean time ? I need not take a peep 
into futurity to know. ******** 
I want to know a thousand things, and ask a thousand ques- 
tions, which you at the source of intelligence are acquainted 
with, relative to America and American exiles, but of which 
I am as ignorant as if in New Zealand. If I continue here 
much longer, I shall be fitter for a hermit's cell ; indeed I- 
have thought, nay, often wished for one, which, at my time 
of life, and with my prospects, would be a most welcome 
retreat. I remain yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL, LONDON. 

Exeter, Jan. 19, 1777. 

Dear Sir : 

So little did I know myself, so ignorant of consequences I 
might have foreseen and avoided, had I possessed common 
discernment, that, for what now appears to me a chimera, I 
abandoned my dwelling, friends and means of life, which you 
know I possessed in no small degree, and might, as the event 
proves, have retained on the comparative trifling condition 
of insults, reproaches, and perhaps a dress of tar and feath- 
ers ; — an alternative I now see much to be preferred to the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 105 

distresses of mind I am daily suffering. The licentiousness 
of an unruly rabble, (saving personal outrages,) with a plenti- 
ful purse, is an envied state to liberty, in the mildest govern- 
ment on earth, if attached to poverty w^ith its horrid train 
of evils ; this you may regard as a paradox, and so will all 
who are at ease. 

I think it is Lucan who says, a good man struggling under 
the storms of fate in adverse fortune is a noble sight, and 
well pleasing to the gods. It may be so — may it be his con- 
dition on whom the gods have bestowed fortitude enough to 
oppose the storms ; for myself I had rather sail on a pacific 
ocean, and would willingly dispense with some degree of 
honorable exaltation hereafter for a more favorable state of 
trial here. But enough of this ; — to come to matter of fact. 

With gi-eat esteem, 

S. CURWEN. 

Jan. 31. Lord Chesterfield being asked what he thought 
of the three Georges, answered, — " 1. George the wise ; 2. 
George the prudent; 3. George the unfortunate." I am 
afraid his inflexible temper, and the falling off" of one of the 
richest jewels from his crown on the day of his coronation, 
forebodes a dismemberment of the most rich and valuable of 
the English dominions ; — whether Ireland, America, or the 
East Indies, I pretend not to foretell, but fear one or the 
other, perhaps all. France and Spain will not fail to avail 
themselves of our national folly to revenge their former 
losses and disgraces. The English, though brave, are not 
discerning ; they every day increase the relative strength of 
the enemy by lessening their own real power. The end may 
possibly be, instead of securing the dependence of the Ameri- 
can Colonies, the loss of their own independence. May God 
in his mercy prevent this mortifying event, if it shall be for 
the general good. 



106 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL. 

Exeter, Feb. 5, 1777. 
Dear Sir : 

Accept my sincere thanks for your last kind and friendly 
favor, and for the prospect it afforded me of hearing again 
soon. * * * * I presume the * * * * are too full of more im- 
portant concerns to attend to these lesser matters ; however 
if it be * * * * and we may rely on a * * * * I can cheer- 
fully dispense with a few weeks' delay ; * * * * but such is 
the whirl and impotence of human affairs, that while we are 
on this stage we are often obliged to play different parts. I 
wish never to act an unworthy one ; my only solicitude now 
is to pass off with decency, and escape without a hiss : but 
enough of this. 

May the possession of Rhode Island, without loss of blood, 
be attended with better consequences than my gloomy, fore- 
boding mind suggests. I fear France and Spain too closely 
watch the motions of this nation to suffer us to avail our- 
selves of the advantages gained over the foolish, deluded 
countrymen of ours, which, but for the duplicity of those 
courts, would yield me a pleasing prospect. * * * 

I often think of our common progenitor. Father Adam, on 
his being driven out of Paradise by an angel with his flam- 
ing sword : — 

" The world was all before him, where to choose 
His place of rest, and Providence his guide." 

With this difference between us, his banishment was by an 
angel, and for a transgression ; mine by men almost as bad 
as devils, and for none. I am afraid our lot is also differ- 
ent in a third respect, he had Providence for his guide, and 
I seem to be left to an ill-judging, foolish mind | * * * 
***** As you are at the source of intel- 
ligence, shall be glad to be favored with an answer to the 
following queries, viz : — Is there a probability of a French 
or Spanish war ? And in that case, will Great Britain send 
more troops to America ? Will General Clinton be rein 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 107 

forced ? Will any Americans be allowed to depart for Amer- 
ica, and in what character ? And if so, will it be prudent 
for me to embrace the opportunity and depart? Have you 
seen the Articles of Confederation ? Are they real, or ficti- 
tious and made here ? Is there any late news from Generals 

Howe or Clinton ? And if so, what is it ? 

******* 

Very truly yours, S. Curwen. 

Feb. 13. A reverend, known by the name of the Macca- 
roni Doctor, is in Poultry Compter for forgery, and has con- 
fessed to the sum of £4200 sterling ; his real name Dodd ; 
he figures in the tete-d-tetes in the magazines, and unless 
defamed, is a worthless character, though noted for some 
serious publications in the common routine. He has two 
chapels and the Magdalen under his care. 

It is reported that six hundred Hessians, in an engagement 
with the Provincials, are slain, and many wounded. 

Feb. 20. The American high treason bill having passed 
through two readings and to be printed, giving the King 
power to imprison any person suspected of favoring, aiding 
or abetting the Americans, without liberty of bail or main- 
prise, has raised an alarm in people's minds universally, as 
it suspends the habeas corpus act, that great bulwark of 
English liberty, as it is called; and it is supposed to aim at 
some characters obnoxious to Administration. Such is the 
language of those who do not affect the present ministerial 
measures respecting America, while the advocates on the 
other hand plead the necessity of such a bill to render Gov- 
ernment secure, as without it those who are and shall be 
hereafter taken, cannot be kept in custody and brought to 
trial for what they call piracy and treason. May the re- 
mains of English liberty and the Consitution not be over- 
looked and lost in this fatal quarrel. Charles James Fox 
said on this occasion, that four acts were over, and this was 
the first scene in the fifth act, (alluding to the enormous 
power given the Crown,) and shows the precarious tenure 
on which the liberty of England is held. 



108 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

TO KEY. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

Exeter, Feb. 20, 1777. 
Dear Sir : 

I have received a long letter from Judge Sewall, in conse- 
quence of which I am going to London, and shall depart 
from hence next week. God bless you, and succeed your 
pious endeavors to reform a very wicked world. May we 
preserve ourselves unpolluted from the defilements thereof. 
Pray don't neglect to write to your old friend and com- 
panion. S. CURWEN. 

TO THOMAS DANFORTH, ESQ., LONDON. 

Exeter, Feb. 20, 1777. 
Dear Sir: 

Your information of * * * * * puts into my memory 
many proverbs, of which, if it did not look too like Sancho 
Panza, I could string near a dozen apropos. You tell me it 
is owing to my being considered a merchant simply. Truly I 
think I have proved myself a very simple merchant, and 
brought my wares to a wretched poor market — thanks to 
the kind misadvisers of * * * * but they forgot or per- 
haps never knew that I had been in the commission of the 
peace more than thirty years ; nearly the same period was 
impost officer for the county of Essex, and a captain in the 
first Cape Breton Regiment, for which I have never received 
any gratuity or recompense: but no matter; past services are 
easily forgotten, and the novi homines are like to reap all the 
emoluments. 

Please put the inclosed into a bag for Bilboa, at New 
Lloyd's Coffee-House, Exchange ; be assured it contains no 
love or treason ; the times admit of writing on neither. 

As to my return to London, I must not think of it, for the 
operation of this new law, like the fifth act in the reign of 
Charles II., banishes me effectually and of course from every 
corporation in England, and will oblige me to take up my 
residence from henceforth in some village. 

I remain, etc. S. Curwen. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 109 

Exeter, Feb. 27. Set off at six o'clock in the diligence for 
Plymouth ; at ten alighted at Ashburton, nineteen miles, for 
breakfast ; at three arrived at Plymouth. 

Feb. 28. Having taken a view of Catwater Harbor, Plym 
River, etc., I proceeded to the citadel, standing on an emi- 
nence, being the eastern extremity of a range of bluff high- 
lands commanding a fair prospect of the entrance from the 
Sound, in the middle whereof is an island, fortified ; the town 
appearing almost under foot. Procuring a coach, rode to the 
Dock, lying at the distance of two miles, passing through 
a settlement of a hundred houses on the hither side of a 
stream dividing Lord Edgecombe's estate from Sir John St. 
Aubin, on whose land the Dock is built, and of whom the 
ground is rented, paying him yearly as lord of the manor. 
There are many ships in the yard, chiefly on the Tamar 
River, (to the east of which the dock-yard lies,) amongst 
others the Royal Sovereign, the Queen, the Augusta, the 
Invincible; and at the quay lay the Blenheim of ninety 
guns, on board of which I was ; and on the stocks three 
large ones, and the Royal George of one hundred guns. 
Passed from thence to the Dock, compassed by hewn stone, 
into which the water flows to the height of twenty-six feet 
in some and less in others ; the water is measured by pillars, 
whereon figures are marked, and is admitted by great gates, 
open and shut as needed. The rope-walks are of stone, of a 
thousand feet in length ; the work is wrought under cover, 
the pitch and tar being in vaulted cellars run athwart the 
building, having no communication with each other. Each 
particular department has its place detached from the other, 
and each store distant from another. The stores are im- 
mense, and nothing less than the riches of the whole earth 
seem capable of supporting such an expense. The numbers 
daily employed in the various branches are, I am told, ten 
thousand in the yard, and regularly called over three times a 
day. The great regularity with which business is conducted 
is very observable, and, indeed, considering the incredible 
variety of branches, and immense quantities of stores, the 
most perplexing confusions would otherwise ensue. I did 

10 



110 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

not hear an oath, nor see any rudeness, during my stay in the 
yard. Within the walls are the officers' houses, and many 
very genteel, particularly the row in which the commander 
lives, with a handsome avenue and a decent chapel. At 
twelve o'clock the workmen regularly go out in order, two 
and two, to their dinner, and the axemen are suffered to take 
as many chips as they can carry, furnishing families with fuel, 
and the unmarried with pocket-money. A little beyond the 
yard, containing fifty or sixty acres, inclosed with a high 
wall, is the gun-dock, a square where the artillery apparatus 
is lodged, and a small commodious armory, but very much 
inferior to that of the same size in the Tower of London. 
On our return took the route through the quarter called the 
Storehouse, detached from the Dock by a river, over which is 
a bridge, and belongs to Lord Edgecombe, consisting of a 
hundred houses, and additions are daily making ; in this is 
a building called the Long-Room, appropriated to tea, punch, 
wine, etc., for private companies and public assemblies ; and 
there is an elegant room, with drawing-rooms adjoining, 
nearly fifty feet long, about thirty wide, and twenty-five 
high, with two handsome glass chandeliers and a music- 
gallery ; not far from this is a building, with large areas en- 
compassed by high stone fences, called the Old Mill Prison 
now fitting up to receive American prisoners. From this 
we ascended a high bluff'-head reaching to the citadel ; 
whilst here, was not a little mortified to see an American 
privateer prize coming into the harbor from Dartmouth, 
nor were my ears a little wounded to hear another sold by 
auction. 

Plymouth, March 1. Being called at six o'clock, I arose 
and entered the vehicle alone, taking up a country couple 
at Squire Parker's lodge ; first stage at Ivy Bridge, eleven 
miles, where breakfasted, and from thence alighted at 12 
o'clock at Totness, from whence I departed to Mrs. Win- 
gate's, late Sophia Reed, who kindly received me ; from 
thence, after an hour's rest, set off" for Newton Abbott and 
Newton Bushel, separated only by a bridge, the former being 
the name the whole goes by : passing by Mr. Coxe's seat 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. HI 

called Penmore Park, and at six o'clock alighted in the 
churchyard, Exeter. 

Exeter^ March 7. I received a letter from London inform- 
ing me of my wife's health and welfare in November last, 
and that she had been obliged to pay ten pounds sterling to 
find a man for the American army in my stead. This intel- 
ligence I received by a letter from Doctor John Prince, at 
Halifax. Left for Bristol in the diligence, and arrived at 
the Bush Tavern, opposite the Exchange, at eight o'clock, 
evening. 

Bristol, March 8. Entered the diligence for London at 
one o'clock at night, — the frost was so intense that our 
breaths formed a hard cake of ice on the glass, scarce to be 
taken oif by the nails. At the city of Bath we arrived, a 
distance of twelve miles, almost stiffened with cold ; here I 
attempted to thaw myself, but this expedient, I fancy, only 
rendered my body and feet more susceptible of the cold; 
suffering, till the sun arose and chased away the frost, in- 
conceivable pain. At Calne we changed horses again, and 
attempted a second thaw with better success than the first, 
being aided by the sun, then beginning to bless the upper 
hemisphere, shining in a cloudless sky. From hence to Marl- 
borough the road lies over a place called the Down ; at the 
entrance is a hill, insulated in the form of a half egg, with 
the summit cut down to a plain, and is called Silbury, sup- 
posed to be made by art or the hand of man, on which are 
some of the bodies of earth like those surrounding Stone- 
henge, called tumuli ; conjectured to be burying-places of 
the ancient Druids. Hence to Froxfield, on the borders of 
which is an almshouse for the reception of forty-five trades- 
men's widows ; it has two fronts, each one hundred and 
fifty feet long, of brick. The next town is Hungerford ; 
hence to Newbury, a town larger in extent and more numer- 
ous in inhabitants than Marlborough. Near this town are 
many single houses, which have the appearance of wealthy 
persons' residences ; and on a pleasant plain, commanding 
also a view of Newbury, lying to the right as one comes 
from Bath, is a parish called Speen ; at the entrance is a 



112 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

lofty building to be seen about half a mile distant, on a 
ridge of hills, having a round tower called Dunnington 
Castle ; the road lies through a street built on what is called 
Speen Lands, belonging to the parish of that name, but is 
connected by buildings continued to Newbury town, spread- 
ing to a great extent on a low plain in a bottom. Here we 
took fresh horses, passing through two or three villages to 
Reading, the distance of which from London is thirty-nine 
miles ; this, the chief town of Berkshire, contains between 
two and three thousand houses ; from a little beyond Marl- 
borough to Reading the land is a continued flat, much of it 
improved, the roads like garden gravel-walks, and very pleas- 
ant. At Bayswater we again shifted horses, and again at 
Hounslow ; between those two places lies the noted heath 
called by the name of the latter, which we passed over with 
a slow, solemn pace in the dark, being more than an hour in 
crossing it. We arrived safe at eight o'clock, evening, at the 
Swan-with-two-Necks Inn,- Doctors' Commons. 

London, Mm'ch 9. Set forward for Judge Sewall's, where 
I dined and passed the evening, — Colonels Saltonstall and 
Phipps being of the company : from thence I proceeded 
to Brompton-Row, where Thomas Danforth, Edward Ox- 
nard, and Jonathan Clarke lodged, and here I engaged 
lodgings. 

March 10. Walked out to Judge Sewall's, he having the 
day before engaged to accompany me to the Treasury, 
where after a compliment I received information of a hun- 
dred pounds down, and a hundred per annum during the 
troubles in America, which I esteem as a providential provi- 
sion procured by the friendship of my respected friend Judge 
Sewall. I received an order on the bank. Accompanied by 
him and Mr. Thomas Danforth, I took a note at the cashier's 
office for seventy pounds payable to myself on demand, and 
thirty pounds in cash, departing very joyous, and I hope 
grateful to that Being who has, by friends, been pleased in 
the midst of gloomy prospects to set my feet on firm ground 
and establish my goings: may I wisely improve 'this gracious 
indulgence. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 113 

Brompton-Row, Kensington, March 11. Took an early 
walk to London, and meeting Governor Hutchinson, was 
invited to dinner, which I accepted, and receiving his ad- 
dress (147 New Bond-street) arrived at it ; company beside 
myself, his son Elisha and daughter, was Mr. B. Hallowell. 
After dinner repaired to Haymarket Theatre, where was en- 
tertained in a very full house by the humorous George Alex- 
ander Stevens's lecture on heads. 

March 12. Spent the evening with the Club, consisting 
of twelve American exiles, at the Treasurer's house, Mr. Har- 
rison Gray's. 

March 31. Rode to Hackney with Judge Sewall to see 
his son Jonathan at school ; returned to his house to dinner, 
where I passed the evening. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

No. 23 BuoMPTON-Row, March 19, 1777. 
Dear Sir : 

I am at length at my moorings in this port, not .much to 
my content except in this one circumstance, the early receipt 
of the mmm necessarivm ; this, though it chases away all 
apprehensions of future want, does not in every situation 
yield positive happiness ; perhaps I am enigmatical, — the 
solution must be deferred to a personal interview hereafter. 

The only article of political news is that Gen. Washing- 
ton was, about the beginning of the present year, declared 
Lord Protector of the thirteen United States of America. 
Mr. Timmins is arrived from Boston via Cork ; he left Plym- 
outh about the first of February ; says the affair of the Hes- 
sians was brought to Boston in four days and put them in 
high spirits ; that the harbor of Boston is strongly fortified 
from the lighthouse and Point Alderton to Fort NeU ; the 
people sanguine in their expectations of a French war, en- 
couraged in their errors by the Danish, French, and Spanish 
traders, who are numerous in the port. King-street (Boston) 
almost as much thronged with people of all nations, etc., as 
the Strand or Cornhill ; two hundred and eighty-three prizes 
carried in by the 23d December ; four vessels with goods from 

10 * 



114 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

France, with powder, small arms, clothing and other articles ; 
one with twenty thousand suits of military clothing, an 
article not a little wanted among them. Young R * * * 
S * * * has made twenty thousand pounds sterling by priva- 
teering, and S. A. Otis, the most important, busy man, as 
well as one of the richest there. * * * 

I fancy I shall take my flight northward, as birds of pas- 
sage you know do, on the approach of spring. There are 
twenty Americans going out with goods to New York and 
Rhode Island in the spring ; I think the adventures rash. 
Mr. Amory is delayed by his wife's illness, which it is judged 
will soon end in mortality. I have received a letter from 
Thomas Russell ^ of Boston, and Russell Wyer of Salem, 
written in the beginning of February ; all well. 

Yours, truly, 

S. CURAVEN. 

Kensington^ March 20. Evening at Club at Mr. Harrison 
Gray's. 

Sunday, March 23. To Christ Church Hospital to see the 
children, to the number of eight hundred, sup ; admitted by 
a ticket signed John Lane, one of the governors. The hall 
is a hundred feet in length, and twenty feet in height, — on 
one side of which are three pictures, the middle one sixty 
feet long and fifteen high ; in the centre King William ; on 
the same range, courtiers. Life- Guardsmen, etc. In the 
foreground, on one hand, hospital children of the males, and 
on the other, females, and all in their proper garbs: — on 
the left, or the first from the door, of the same length is a 
painting of King Edward, surrounded by his Court, with a 
roll, by me supposed to represent the first charter of this in- 
stitution, he being the founder thereof ; and on the other, a 
piece of the same size as the last, with a full-length of 
Charles II., with astronomical and mathematical apparatus, 
perhaps to denote him to be the founder of the mathematical 

1 An opulent and distinguished merchant of Boston, ■whose widow mar- 
ried Sir Grenville, son of Sir John Temple, first Consul-General from Gi-eat 
Britain to the United States. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 115 

school here. Three tables were spread, on each side of 
which, benches ; on a raised platform are circular seats for 
the spectators, in the centre front a two-armed chair for the 
Governor, or Treasurer, whose name in Burford. Prayers 
are read by one of the upper boys, in a pulpit erected against 
the wall ; then singing by the boys, accompanied by an or- 
gan ; afterwards supper, consisting only of bread and butter ; 
grace before and after, by one of the boys in the pulpit, and 
service concludes with an anthem. The boys come up in 
pairs to the platform to make their bow, and retire, some 
with large pitchers, others with small wooden bowls, others 
with table-cloths folded up under their arms, others with 
large baskets in which the bread was brought, and others 
with lighted candles. 

March 27. Walked out with Judge Sewall and Mr. A. 
Willard to Cromwell's Garden, which is in ill repair ; drank 
tea at the house of the former, and passed the evening with 
the New England Club, say, '■'■Bromplon-Roiu Tory Club" at 
Mr. Blowers's. 

March 31. Evening with the Club at H. Gray's. 

April 3. Dined at Treasurer Gray's with Col. Browne 
and John Sargent. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

23 Brompton-Row, Kensington, Ajiril 6, 1777. 
Deae Sir : 

I have nothing to communicate worth a minute's atten- 
tion. The various news that each morning produces, the 
following day contradicts ; however, in general, perhaps it 
may be new to you to know that the Tories here, believe the 
American game of independency is nearly up ; not so your 
doubting friend. Nay, so very sure are some, that there is 
no small talk of going off in August. You will scarce meet 
one that entertains the least shadow of a doubt that Gov- 
ernment must succeed in the utmost extent of its views be- 
fore the fall ; the reasons and probability of which I have 
not discernment enough to see. I wish the old Latin prov- 



116 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

erb may not with too much propriety be applied to these 
implicit believers, — " Canunt triumphum ante victoriamy ^ 

I wrote you in my last that several, to the number of 
twenty, were going off to New York. I now add that an- 
other cargo of twelve or fifteen, among whom is young 
Chipman, is to depart in a vessel of 250 tons, laden with 
goods to the amount of .£80,000 sterling, defended by a 
force of 17 guns and 17 men, in ten days. It is reported 
that the new levies, British and German, going to General 
Howe, are in number eight thousand, and that General Bur- 
goyne is already gone, and is to take with him from Canada, 
by way of St. Lawrence River, the greater part of the troops 
at present stationed there ; no further attempts being to be 
made on the lakes this season. Our head-quarter folks say 
that Lord George Germaine declared to Col. Phips, who is 
going this day to Halifax with Admiral Montague vid New- 
foundland, that the first advices from America, he doubts 
not, will be joyful. All here are expecting to hear that 
General Howe is in possession of Philadelphia. On the 
contrary, the Philadelphia papers are full of the great ex- 
ploits of the American troops against the Royal Army, and 
the promising appearances of affairs on their side ; and if 
Gen. Washington and Gen. Gates's letters are genuine. Gen. 
Howe and his forces are not in so fair a way to possess 
themselves of that capital as our folks seem to fancy. Mr. 
Dickinson's defection has proved a false alarm, he being 
only retired to his estates seventy miles from Philadelphia, 
for what reasons politicians disagree. His brother Dickin- 
son and his brother-in-law Cadwallader, are both command- 
ers in the American Army. Last night I heard read the 
following, from a letter dated Portsmouth, April 10, viz: 
" Two thousand Anspachers sailed for New York under 
convoy of the So7nerset and Mercury: three thousand more 
Germans are expected here to sail directly, under the St. 
Albans J^ 

Yesterday morn the late Right Reverend the Bishop of Lon- 
don's corpse was carried by our door on a hearse to its place 

1 Thej celebrate the triumph before the victory is gained." 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 117 

of interment at Fulham, — successor unknown ; probably 
the bench of bishops will take care that the See of London 
do not stand long vacant, under the modest pretence of 
Nolo Episcopari. 

Yours, truly, ' S. Curwen. 

April 11. Drank tea and passed the evening at Mr. and 
Mrs. Savage's, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter ^ 
and Judge Sewall. 

1 Of Salem. 



X18 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



CHAPTER V. 

A. D. 1777. Journey from London to Ipswich, in company with Judge 
Sewall and Abel Willard. Passes through Rumford, Ingatestone, Witham, 
Colchester. Description of Colchester, Roman Antiquities. Arrival at 
Ipswich. An unpleasing Town. Leaves it for Cambridge. Newmarket 
Races. Description of Trinity College. River Cam. University Library. 
Returns to London. Journey to Oxford. Visits Queen's College. Jesus's 
College. Merton College. Christ Church College. Library. Allsouls. 
Meets Sir F. Bernard. Leaves Oxford. Visits Blenheim House at 
Woodstock. Bicester. Buckingham. Stow Gardens. Lord George 
Germaine. Earl Temple. Coventry. Birmingham. Leasowes of Shen- 
stone. Hagley, Lord Lyttelton's Estate. Hales Owen. Fair. Returns 
to Birmingham. 

April 17, 1777. At seven, A. M., departed in company 
with Judge Sewall and Mr. A. Willard, on our intended 
journey to Ipswich. Our first stage at Rumford, a distance 
of sixteen miles. This town consists of about two hundred 
houses, some few modern. The next stage at a town called 
Ingatestone, not unlike the former for size and style, distance 
twelve miles. Witham was our third stage ; our fourth Col- 
chester, famous for the manufacture of baizes ; and here oys- 
ters are taken from the sea and put into pits, in order to give 
them that coppery taste so grateful to an Englishman's 
palate, and so disgustful to a New Englander's. The streets 
are ill-paved with smallish pebbles, to my feet so harsh and 
hurtful as to occasion frequent complaints. In our progress 
came to the castle, built in form of one of the old barons, — 
not improbable to have been one ; it is a square ; the angles 
defended by round towers, pierced, like the body of the castle, 
with narrow and long holes, through which the inmates were 
wont to defend themselves by arrows ; the whole crowned 
with battlements formerly, the remains being still to be seen. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 119 

The parade contains a quarter of an acre, and is now cleared 
of the barracks it was once encumbered with ; in a room up 
one flight of stairs, is the library, belonging to a Mr. Grey," 
minister for the town, consisting of about two thousand old 
books. Here a weekly society meet ; its institution, orders 
and purposes, my curiosity did not prompt me to make any 
inquiry into: — hence to the chapel so called, an empty 
room, containing only a reading-desk, with a large folio Bible 
and a large wooden chair. This castle was in the time of 
the civil wars defended by Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George 
Lisle for the Royal cause, who were, after its surrender, shot 
on the parade and buried under a small church in the road ; 
the precise spot on which they stood is carefully preserved in 
memory, and told the curious visitant. The only inhabitants 
are a family in one of the round towers, and the rooks who 
occupy the holes on the outside in great numbers. The site 
of the castle is somewhat high, has pleasant walks round, 
planted with trees, and commands the neighboring grounds 
that lie below it, except on the town side. On the same 
plain from this spot we passed through the streets to another 
quarter of the town, in which lie the St. John's Abbey Gar- 
dens, now known by the name of the Pinnacle Gardens, for 
reasons unknown to us, and are surrounded by a lofty brick 
wall, and strengthened by buttresses in good repair. These, 
I suppose, are the walls of the ancient monastery grounds, 
embracing twenty acres. Hence we proceeded home, and, 
attended by our complaisant landlord, were admitted to a 
sight of a tessellated Roman pavement lately discovered in a 
gentleman's garden, supposed by antiquarians to have been 
the pretorium of an old Roman encampment, it being a 
known fact that Julius Caesar landed, in his second invasion 
of Britain, in the neighborhood of this place. It is probable 
hereabouts was a Roman station, and the discovery of this 
piece of Roman work renders the conjecture not improbable. 
From hence we proceeded over to a Mr. Great's, to see 
the portraits of Sir John Jacquey and his lady, some of the 
first establishers of the baize manufactories here. These 
pieces are executed on wood, by Vandyke, in 1623 ; we were 



120 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

told they are judged to be capital paintings, and it is highly 
probable they are, if our information be true that the posses- 
sors, descendants of this couple, have been offered a thou- 
sand guineas for them. 

Colchester, April 18. Departed at nine o'clock hence for 
Mistley, a village on the lands of Richard Rigby, Esq., who 
is lord of this manor. In two hours we alighted at his gar- 
dens, in extent four acres within the walls ; his hot and 
green-houses are in fine order, and supplied with common 
trees and shrubs, plants and vines, but no exotics that are 
not fructiferous and of the useful kinds. Thence through 
the pleasure-grounds to the house, where, being conducted 
through a more than Cretan labyrinth, at length arrived ; it is 
new and elegant, but its extent does not rise above medioc- 
rity ; its ornaments are silk hangings of cream color, with 
faint shades of blue, red, etc. ; chairs the same, with three 
very large looking-glasses, a beautiful chimney-piece of pol- 
ished marble, other chimney furniture, and a pyrometer I 
had never seen before. 

We arrived at Ipswich, distant from Colchester twenty- 
two miles, where we dined. From the inn, accompanied by 
the master, we walked along the old wall of the town to Mr. 
John Fonnerau's park ; the house wherein he dwells belong- 
ing to it is called Christ Church, and was formerly a monas- 
tery of friars. The town consists of old-built, ill-fashioned 
structures, and contains about ten thousand souls. Its only 
trade is coals, imported from the north ; but few people stir- 
ring in the streets, — a visible decay. It lies on the river Or- 
well, and is the chief county town. The corn-market has a 
small octagonal building, about twenty feet in diameter ; in 
the centre on top stands a female statue as large as life, 
with a fillet round her eyes ; in her right hand a sword, and 
in her left a pair of scales, loose hung, moving up and down 
with every pufF of wind, perhaps to denote the instability of 
modern justice, or how apt it is to swerve from the right line 
when urged by force or interest, or moved by flattery. 

Ipswich, April 19. After breakfast departed from this sol- 
itary unpleasing town, very like its namesake in New Eng- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 121 

land in its general complexion, and in two hours arrived at 
Stowmarket ; and soon after at St. Edmundsbury, at two 
o'clock. Accompanied by the landlord we went to view the 
ruins of the Abbey of St. Edmund, of Saxon time, scattered 
over near twenty acres now owned by Sir Charles Dacres 
and his maiden sister. The remains of this stupendous 
building are astonishing, many foundations of walls and 
pillars being yet to be seen ; the casings almost entirely 
taken away, scarce any part of the front or sides being left, 
except here and there a stone which serve to show the ma- 
terials. Some of the walls were thirty feet thick. The pil- 
lars appear to have been from eight to twelve feet ; and an 
arch, of which the foundation yet remains, was said to have 
been seventy feet high, and is near forty in width. The 
foundation also of the Abbot's hall remains ; its area forty- 
five feet each side. In a spot, perhaps the dormitory, a few 
years since was digged up the body of the Duke of Beaufort, 
brother to the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France during the 
minority of Henry VI., and was entire ; a hand taken from 
it is preserved in spirits, and in the keeping of a physician 
here. The grand entrance is preserved entire, and is a square, 
lofty tower; its angles, like all the ancient fortified structures, 
covered with round towers rising up to the top. The pas- 
sage-way through is under a lofty arch defended by great 
gates that are kept shut. Many particulars were told us re- 
specting the various parts of the house, appurtenances and 
avenues, but not being noted at the time, are forgotten. 
Among the notitia of this place, by desire, I insert, that the 
steeple of St. James's Church stands at fifty feet distance 
from the body of the church, — a house containing four win- 
dows in front being between and on the steeple, on the 
same side, are two hour-plates of clocks, to answer what 
purpose was beyond my reach. 

At three o'clock we departed from this pleasant, handsome 
and agreeable town. On the right, about ten miles distant, 
Ely Minster, or Cathedral, appeared in view. At twelve miles 
from last stage is Newmarket, an indifferent inn, however 
frequented by dukes and lords. We passed through the race- 

11 



122 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

grounds. The races were instituted to keep and preserve a 
race of good horses in honor of the nation ; but as the insti- 
tution is debased, it is not the best horse that wins the race, 
but that which is destined for it by combination ; indeed, 
some descend so low as to circumvent one another. The 
diversion becoming a public nuisance by spreading itself, the 
legislature took cognizance of it, and by the 13th George 11. 
a law was passed in relation to it. Departed for Cambridge 
over a plain champaign uninclosed country, which all this 
quarter of the country seems to consist of. At this place we 
arrived at seven o'clock, at the White Bear Inn, where we were 
indifferently treated at our first alighting, through the driver's 
foolish neglect or mistake in not denoting that dignity and 
importance each gentleman should assume on the road in 
order to be respectfully treated ; however, he seemed after- 
wards to be sensible of his own false judgment, and partly 
made amends. 

Ca7nbridg-e, April 20. At ten o'clock, taking a servant of 
the inn along with us, we walked out in order to have a 
sight of the inside of King's College Chapel, that, by delay 
at Trinity College, we lost. This latter is by far the most 
magnificent in the University ; has two spacious quadran- 
gles ; the front and one of the squares are of Portland free- 
stone, having a beautiful reservoir of water in the midst ; the 
chambers occupy two sides, the hall and * * * * room another 
side, and the fourth by the chapel, which contained nothing 
remarkable but a full-length statue of Sir Isaac Newton, in 
the porch. The other square contains chambers on all sides 
except the north or west, and is wholly improved by the col- 
lege library, a noble room of two hundred feet in length by 
about seventy wide, filled with forty thousand volumes ; the 
alcoves having on top the busts of the most famous ancient 
philosophers on one side, and the most famous of the modern 
English authors, etc., on the other. Here we were shown a 
perfect Egyptain mummy, the flesh like a smoked tongue. 
In the same apartment was a curious inscription in Greek 
capitals, without distinction of sentences or words, on a 
marble about eighteen inches square, having a plain pedi- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 123 

ment on the top ; it is called Marmor Sandavicensis, being 
presented by Lord Sandwich. There are also to be seen 
some mutilated antique pillars and capitals, with inscriptions 
in Greek characters, placed on the grand staircases leading 
to the library, given by Mr. Wortley Montague, or his sister, 
Lady Bute, since her death, but which I forget ; and among 
them his bust in marble. 

From hence we departed through the College walks on the 
banks of the river Cam, running on the back of King's Col- 
lege, Trinity College, Caius, Trinity Hall, Clare Hall, and 
St. John's College; over the river are three handsome stone 
bridges for foot-walking, and between them a wooden bridge, 
called the Bridleway, for horses and carriages ; the banks of 
the river within the College grounds are faced with stone, the 
lawn carried down to its very edge, with many slips for the 
advantage of the company who shall please to divert them- 
selves in boats on the water, flowing in a very gentle stream 
about two rods wide. The pleasure-grounds are laid out in 
most agreeable gravel-walks kept in the nicest order, shaded 
with lofty trees ; they are extensive, all on a level, and agree- 
able. Leaving these delightful walks we proceeded to the 
chapel ; it being shut, we turned our walk to take a view of 
the other buildings. A Mr. Pearce, a Fellov/ of St. John's 
College, whom I met in the walks, invited us to his chamber, 
where we abode a few minutes to look in a book for an 
answer to a question I put them concerning the age of an 
ancient manuscript in the University library, and for the key 
of the library, to which he conducted us. It is not a hand- 
some room, nor contains a large collection of books ; it was 
scarcely larger than our old Harvard College library, and like 
it consisting of old books chiefly. Mr. Prior was of this col- 
lege, and left it a noble folio volume of all his works, bound 
in morocco, finely gilt. Here we also saw a most elegant 
folio edition of Dr. Samuel Clarke's Julius Caesar's Com- 
mentaries. 

Having returned to our inn, we dined, and soon departed 
in a post-chaise through a very level road to our designed 
stage, Barkway, distant sixteen miles, where we lodged and 



124 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

breakfasted. This very indifferent collection of old-fashioned 
buildings we soon left, and entered on the fine improvements 
of Herts. The agreeable uneven ness of the earth, the verdure 
of the fields and corn-grounds, and excellent improvements 
for which this county is noted, rendered our travelling for 
many miles delightfully pleasant. At Ware alighted in two 
hours from our departure from the last stage, stopping at the 
Saracen's Head, to gratify my companions, whose curiosity 
urged them to take a view of the great bed, which I before 
described, and made, as our informant told us, for the use of 
King Edward IV. in 1463. From hence we took the course 
to Hartford, lying three miles out of our direct road to Lon- 
don, and in two hours from hence were set down at Judge 
Sewall's door, after a ramble of one hundred and eighty 
miles ; and so good-by, Essex, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. 

Passed the afternoon and evening at Judge Sewall's. 

April 25. With Mr. Savage attended Longford's sales 
under Covent Garden piazza — viewed and examined his 
medals and coins ; Roman, Grecian, Egyptian, Saxon, and 
English. Saw a brass farthing of the time of the Common- 
wealth that sold for three pounds four. 

April 29. Attended the exhibition in Piccadilly of Society 
of Artists of Great Britain ; was really surprised at the mean- 
ness of the portraits; nothing appeared to my eye well exe- 
cuted but some fruit-pieces and a few miniatures in crayons 
and water colors. From hence Mr. Silsbee and myself ad- 
journed to Mr, Joseph Green's ; we drank tea and passed a 
pleasant hour. Stopped by the way at Ely Palace, so called, 
on Holborn Hill, now sold and pulling down to build two 
rows of houses. There are yet standing the chapel and hall 
in the old Gothic taste. 

TO EEV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH, DEVON. 

Brompton-Row, April 30, 1777. 
Dear Sir : 

Your favor of the 25th I received last night, and am 
obliged to you for the intelligence it contains ; all of which 
respecting our own country was new to me, having not 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 125 

heard a syllable of it before ; the daily news inserted in the 
public papers proves for the most part to be manufactured 
here, and what is not, in event turns out to be premature and 
void of truth. Nothing can be depended on but what comes 
to us prepared by Court cookery in the " Gazette ; " nor do 
I think Administration to blame for withholding part, the 
whole truth not being fit to be divulged in these captious, 
licentious times. I have wholly laid aside all regard to what 
is said to be brought by expresses from America, but what 
comes immediately from General or Lord Howe, or is con- 
tained in the Arnerican newspapers, of which we have now 
and then a sight in the New England CofFee-House. Nothing 
very important has of late come from that quarter, except 
the death of General Washington and the taking of Ticon- 
deroga ; both of these yet being matters of doubt and dis- 
pute, as people wish, fear, or hope. Since my last I have 
rambled through Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Hert- 
ford for five days, in company with Judge Sewall and Mr. 
Abel Willard, and am now about departing, say next Mon- 
day, for Oxford, and from thence quo fata trahant ; designing 
never to make London or its environs my future abode. The 
inhabitants, however, I hold in much higher estimation than 

those of almost every other place. 

******** 

God bless your Reverence, and succeed your pious endeav- 
ors to reform your flock ; and I hope for and depend on your 
prayers, and remain. 

Very truly, your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Brampton- Row ^ Kensington, May 1, 1777. Dined at Gil- 
bert Harrison's with my friend John Timmins, the two De- 
bloises,^ Benjamin Faneuil, and two ladies. 

May 3. Dined at Judge Sewall's ; from thence walked to 
London to engage a seat in the diligence to Oxford, design- 
ing to take that city in my way to the country, where for 
some months I propose to abide, but in what quarter chance 

1 Late of Salem. 
11 * 



126 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

must determine. I go hence like Abraham of old ; may the 
same kind and almighty Protector be my guide and defence. 

3Iay 5. Departed in the diligence, in which we found a 
late Oxford scholar, who proved a pleasant, chatty, well-bred 
companion ; the road for the first eight miles as far as Ac- 
ton, clear, level and pleasant as a garden gravel-walk : from 
thence it assumed a different face, and from Uxbridge to 
Oxford, especially through Buckinghamshire, generally a rich 
soil and well improved lands. The other towns lying in the 
road were Beaconsfield and High Wycombe ; in the latter 
lies Lord Shelburne's seat, pleasure-grounds and park, all in 
view ; a little beyond is Lord Despenser's, much more culti- 
vated and in better order. On the right and on an emi- 
nence, stands an edifice styled " the Mausoleum," of a pecu- 
liar construction ; but the inclination of my fellow-travellers 
permitted me not to take a nearer view than the transient 
sight as we passed the road. From hence through a parish 
called Stoken- Church, and on bad roads, we arrived at the 
Star Inn, Oxford, not having stopped to refresh ; here we 
called for dinner and engaged lodgings. 

Oxford, May 6. After breakfast walked out to deliver 
Dr. Chandler's letter to a Fellow of Queen's College, named 
Monkhouse, who received us respectfully enough, detained 
us in his room an hour, and from thence conducted us 
through the hall, chapel, library of his own college, and after 
settling the route went to the theatre, RadclifFe Library, Clar- 
endon Press, and the schools. After repeated invitations to 
dine in their hall, we declined for the purpose of examining 
the Oxford Guide in our retirement. In the hall of Jesus 
College were admitted to a sight of the plate ; among others 
is a bowl and ladle of silver double gilt, and holding ten gal- 
lons, the gift of Sir Watkins William Wynne; here is -also 
a book of the college statutes written on vellum, and kept in 
a glass case, having the characters as perfect and just as if 
struck on copperplate. From hence to our lodgings ; soon 
after our companion Mr. Monkhouse came and conducted 
us through the RadclifFe Infirmary, open to all the nation, 
and filled with every conceivable accommodation and sup- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 127 

ply, and kept in the neatest order. From thence to the Ob- 
servatory, and from thence to the Park, being a long circu- 
lar laid gravel-walk round the improved fields, part of which 
is bordered by lofty elms ; its high situation affords a fine 
extended prospect of the country under high cultivation ; 
part of the city on the other side adds to the pleasure of 
the walk. 

The grounds belong to Merton College, but the walks are 
maintained at the University expense and common to it; on 
our return back we met two gownsmen, both of our college, 
(Harvard,) one of whom was Dr. Nicholson, mentioned in 
the superscription of our letter, with whom and a Mr. Ham- 
ilton, (a partner in the printing of the Oxford Bibles and 
Prayer-Book, the sole liberty of which is confined to the 
two Universities and the King's press,) and a few gentlemen 
besides in the common room which all the colleges are fur- 
nished with. 7th. Breakfasted at Mr. Deblois's by invita- 
tion, and after returned to our lodgings, to which Mr. Monk- 
house soon came and conducted us to the Divinity School, 
having a curious roof of stone, and in as bold a style as 
King's College Chapel, Cambridge ; from thence returned 
back into the Convocation Room ; and here we spent some 
time in looking into the statute book and libro nigro ; in 
the anteroom I saw the Vice- Chancellor in his robes, and the 
two Proctors, waiting for the completing a convocation, 
(consisting of twelve at least.) We were in hopes to see a 
baccalaureate degree given to one of the students of Queen's 
College, but the difficulty of making a convocation delayed 
the ceremony too long for our leisure ; by this delay was 
deprived of a sight I should have been greatly pleased with. 
Hence we ascended to the picture-gallery, and from thence 
to the Bodleian Library, which did not come up to my idea ; 
't is an old room, its form an H; there are many recesses sur- 
rounded with lattice-work, in which the students retire to 
read, transcribe, etc. ; saw but few employed in that business. 
From hence we passed over to the Ashmolean Museum; 
here we were entertained but indifferently. In the staircase 
are a dead Christ of Caracci, and the Tradescant Family, 



128 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

by what hands I know not ; in the room a small miniature 
of St. Cuthbert, in a gold gorget, said to have been worn by- 
Alfred the Great ; some very nice frivolous carvings in peach 
and cherry stones ; the hat Bradshaw is said to have had on 
when he sat in judgment and condemned King Charles ; the 
skull of Cromwell, said to be known by a smaU excrescence 
on the bone just above the eye, etc. 

Retreated to the inn, dined, and being attended by G. De- 
blois's father, I walked to Christ Church College, the most 
noble of any in the University; entered the picture-rooms, 
crowded by paintings of the most celebrated masters, being 
the gift of the late Gen. Guise, for the reception of which 
. these rooms were fitted. Above is the library of very fine 
bound books, placed in a room of about two hundred feet 
long, sixty wide, and twenty-five high ; the ceiling finely stuc- 
coed as well as the walls in each kind of relief, in oval and 
other figured compartments. The books are in cases of oak, 
handsomely carved, and many seats in the same style. The 
hall into which I entered whilst some of the students were 
at dinner, is a noble room of the length apparently of the lib- 
rary, and wider; the ceiling is of oak, supported from above, 
and in the centre of each square compartment into which it 
is laid, is a gilt rose ; the walls in a line on each side filled 
with portraits, on the ends with full-lengths. I remember 
none of them but Lord Mansfield's, over the door, in his judi- 
cial robes. Here I was accosted by a well-bred, sensible young 
student, with whom I held conversation. Leaving him I de- 
parted, passing through the walk belonging to this college, of 
a mile in length, bordered on each side for part of the way by 
lofty trees, rendering it most delightful. Our next delay was 
at Corpus Christi, into the chapel of which I just peeped, and 
from thence into Oriel ; both of these are small foundations. 
Arriving at the inn, dismissed ray attendant, and soon after 
being called upon according to promise by Mr. Monkhouse, 
with whom I went to the schools. In two apartments the 
Arundelian marbles (and collection of statues presented to 
the University by the Countess of Pembroke) are kept ; the 
statues are larger and smaller than the life. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 129 

From hence we adjourned to Allsouls College ; the house 
for the reception of the books was built by Col. Codrington, 
formerly a member of this house, whose statue in white mar- 
ble stands in the centre of the room, a noble one indeed ; the 
ceiling and walls elegantly stuccoed ; the books, very num- 
erous, stand in beautiful cases ; a fund, producing two thou- 
sand pounds a year, is allotted for the increasing of it ; by 
this provision it Avill in time become the largest and best in 
the University. From thence we adjourned to the chapel, a 
beautiful room ; over the altar stands a masterly performance 
of a Mr. Minkes, the Spanish king's painter, of Christ making 
himself known to Mary Magdalene in the Garden, just at the 
point of time when she having said to him, " If thou be the 
gardener, and have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast 
laid him ; " he replied, " Mary ! " and she, turning about, 
discovered it was the Lord. This filling her with surprise, 
admiration, love, a mixture of all these various passions is 
finely expressed in her countenance ; and in his, self-com- 
posure, dignity, meekness. Over this, in a semicircular com- 
partment, are many full-lengths, being the assumption of the 
founder, Henry Chichely. He is dressed in rich robes, his eyes 
raised upwards, attended by angels. 

From this pleasing spot we proceeded to Christ Church 
College, in Peckwater-square. Meeting Sir Francis Bernard^ 
with a son now educating here, was introduced to Doctor 
Leigh, of Baliol College, who was elected in 1727, and is 
now a sprightly and active little old gentleman of eighty-six. 
We reached the church, said to be almost the only remains 
of a public building in the Norman style, supposed to have 
been standing eight or nine hundred years. It was ancient- 
ly an Abbey church, dedicated to St. Frideswide, whose 
tomb is yet standing. Here we were shown several pieces 
of richly embossed double gilt plate, some of which were dug 
from the ruins of Oshey Abbey, where it had been lying for 
ages. The old abbey, distant from hence about eight miles, J 
has been removed to this spot. Passed this evening, as the "^ 
last, in the same common room, and with the satne com- 

1 Governor of Massachusetts from 1760 to 1769. 



130 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

pany, with the addition of one or two more, hearing many 
sarcastic speeches concerning our New England follies and 
absurdities ; but every country has its characteristic ones, 
and that comforts me under the but too just ridicule we 
are loaded with. 

May 8. Took our farewell of G. Deblois's father and 
family — walking out in order to take our last leave of Mr. 
Monkhouse, whom we met, and were conducted by him 
through New College and its pleasant grounds, and back to 
the inn. Making our acknowledgments, we took leave, and 
soon entering the post-chaise, departed for Woodstock, dis- 
tant six miles, through dirty roads ; were set down at the 
Bear Inn. We loitered through the town, and at three 
o'clock, the hour appointed for viewing Blenheim House, 
we proceeded to the park-gate, an enormous portal, in the 
triumphal style, with an inscription cut in the list, importing 
by whom and when it was erected ; from this we have an 
oblique view of that enormous load of building called Blen- 
heim House, the first sight of which reminded me of that 
sarcastic couplet on the architect : — 

" Lie heavy on him, earth, for he 
Hath laid a cumbrous pile on thee.'' 

The near approach did not fail to add to the disgust I first ■ 
received : — the huge piles that sustain the arcades, the almost 
unspannible pillars, and the inordinate size and clumsiness 
of its outside appearance, were fully recompensed by the 
elegance and grandeur of the rooms, the beauty of the tapes- 
try, and the capital paintings with which the apartments are 
filled. The saloon is a noble room ; the library possesses a 
gi-andeur and elegance inexpressible. From this famed edi- 
fice we returned the same way by which we entered, took a 
a post-chaise and rode across the country to Bicester, through 
fields and private grounds, passing gates, etc., the soil light 
and barren ; few fields of grain, but chiefly uninclosed heaths 
for sheepwalks. This town has no manufactures, wood 
scarce and coals dear : it abounds in houses for the sale of 
spirituous liquors ; we met in our ramble not less than a 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 131 

score. Lodged at the King's Arms, the most magnificent 
edifice of the whole. 

Bicester, May 9. Departed early for Buckingham, and 
alighting at Lord Temple's Arms, we breakfasted, and soon 
after left for Stow Gardens, passing for a mile over a straight, 
level road through Lord George Germaine's grounds, ad- 
joining to the gardens, on the borders of which, and facing 
the road, stands a light, lofty triumphal arch ; leaving this 
on our left, we proceeded to the inn, and from thence to 
the gate ; being admitted, we remained two hours in going 
through the gardens and house, the front of which is built 
in a more pleasing style by far than Blenheim, not, how- 
ever, to be compared to it in extent and compass. These 
gardens are not to be matched for grandeur, variety and 
taste in England, perhaps the world. They are capable of 
amusing for a much longer time than I could allot, being 
viewed by me currente pede. Having traversed the pleas- 
ure grounds half through, we arrived at the house, the front 
of which has a very noble and airy appearance ; ascending 
a lofty flight of steps, we saw an elderly person sitting on 
a settee in half mourning, by the front-door, under the por- 
tico supported by lofty pillars of the Corinthian order ; ap- 
proaching nearer I espied a star on his right breast, by 
which I recognized Earl Temple. Pulling off my hat, I was 
going to retire, when he put his hand to his hat, and beck- 
oned with the other to approach, which we did, and entered 
the great hall yet unfinished, the whole front having been 
lately taken down ; the outside is finished, but within is yet 
in hand ; many of the rooms are in disorder, though enough 
to manifest the elegance and grandeur of the owner's taste 
and riches. From hence we set forward, passing through 
my Lord's grounds five miles, and Whittlebury Forest, be- 
longing to the estate of the Duke of Grafton, called Easton; 
which, with the other grounds we passed, till our arrival at 
the turnpike road, were insufferably bad, besides being de- 
layed by a multitude of gates, for which purpose we brought 
a young lad to open them. The appearance of the earth in 
this stage was greatly altered for the better, being diversified 



132 JOURNAL AND LETTERS; 

with hills and dales, under better cultivation, and the nature 
of the soil more fertile. The fences for many miles of rails, 
such as are frequent in our own country, intended to defend 
the young live-hedges just set out ; inclosures here just begin- 
ning to take place. At 4 o'clock alighted at the Saracen's 
Head, Worcester ; here we abode no longer than to dine, 
and taking another post-chaise, departed for Daventry, pass- 
ing through a village called Whadon, where we supped and 
lodged. 

Daventry, May 10. A. M. Took coach for Coventry, pass- 
ing through a finely improved, fertile country, and in three 
hours alighted at an inn just without the city ; a regiment of 
horse called the Inniskilliners, were reviewing ; a body of 
stout, likely men, dressed in red turned up with buff, and 
exceedingly well mounted. 

Coventry is an old built city, noted for the ribbon-Vi'^eaving 
business ; here we were delayed some time ; took fresh 
horses ; our road lay over a new canal between Oxford and 
the last-mentioned city, designed for the cheaper and more 
expeditious conveyance of coals that these parts abound in, 
by which the former will be supplied at less than half the 
present price. In our road lay a village, called Dunchurch ; 
a little beyond is a long terrace road raised above the level 
nearly three feet, and continued for more than three miles 
almost in a straight line, and bordered on each side by ever- 
greens and elms, planted by the lord of the royalty, through 
whose lands it runs, rendering it inexpressibly pleasing to 
the eye of the traveller. 

From Coventry to Birmingham we were delayed by scores 
of wagons bound from thence, laden with goods, coals, etc., 
and at four o'clock alighted at the Dolphin Inn, Birmingham, 
in the street called the Bullring, where we intend to remain 
ten days, (after a circuit of a hundred and fifty miles,) if 
agreeable. 

Birmingham, May 13. Being called upon by Mr. G. Rus- 
sell, we set off on foot for his house at Moseley Wake Green, 
having been invited the Sunday before to dine on this day ; 
our company consisted of his brother and lady and sister. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 133 

May 17. Waited on Mr. Wilkinson at his house, but he 
was absent ; afterwards went with my companion to the 
locks on the canal, and saw several boats go through, an 
amusing sight to him which he had never seen before. 

May 19. Having engaged horses the night before at eight 
o'clock, booted and spurred we mounted our Rosinantes, 
and departed for the Leasowes, late pleasure-grounds of the 
famed Shenstone, and Hagley, the estate of Lord Littleton ; 
the former distant six miles, the latter eleven, on the same 
road. Here we arrived at eleven o'clock, passing through 
a town called Hales Owen, of considerable extent, and by 
its appearance in the same way of business as Birmingham. 
Attended by the gardener in the absence of the park-keeper, 
we walked over my Lord's grounds, almost in the centre of 
which stands Hagley parish church, a sm^ll building in a 
shady recess ; passing this we ascended an eminence. On 
a plain, surrounded on all sides but in front with lofty trees, 
stands a pillar with a statue of the late Prince of Wales, 
(father of his present Majesty,) dedicated to his memory 
by the late Lord Littleton, who was one of the prince's 
household and favorites. This spot commanded a sloping 
view of a pleasant lawn, bounded by the mansion-house, 
a large oblong edifice of two stories and an attic, with a 
low four-square tower on each angle, and a flat roof. The 
exterior of the house is plain and void of ornament ; over 
the lawns are planted clumps of trees by which the views 
are diversified. From the heights, in narrow channels, run 
many small streams, one discharging itself into a pool filled 
with trout, etc. ; over this is thrown a bridge with an al- 
cove. The grounds contain in extent four hundred acres ; 
and trees are planted so artificially as to yield an appearance 
hardly to be distinguished from nature a little improved ; 
here are to be seen pillars, urns, rotundas, alcoves and field- 
seats judiciously disposed : ariiongst them an urn dedicated 
to the memory of Alexander Pope, on which is an inscription 
savoring of flattery. 

Returning by the way we went, we alighted at the Golden 
Cross, Hales Owen, where we were furnished with a room 

12 



134 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

by ourselves and dinner. On this day was held a fair in this 
town ; seeing a large multitude collected I would fain have 
mixed with the people, but the curiosity of my companion 
not prompting him, and my fatigue by an execrable hard trot- 
ter rendering me indisposed to needless exercise, prevented 
our seeing the humors of this part of the country. In pass- 
ing the road a few furlongs before, we arrived at this town ; 
about an inn were collected two companies of tradesmen 
with black rods tipped with brass. They assemble at certain 
times and under certain rulas ; have a public box, supply- 
ing a fund to be employed in maintaining the sick, blind, 
wounded and disabled, and finally burying members and 
their wives. Their regulations have a happy tendency to 
promote among the laboring handicraftsmen cleanliness, 
good manners, order and sociability. 

The road to Hagley in general is, though level, but toler- 
ably good ; the views pleasing ; at two o'clock we arrived at 
the Leasowes, now in possession of a Squire Home. At- 
tended by the gardener we entered through what is called 
the Priory Gate, a gateway and arch formed by old stumps 
and moss, communicating with a serpentine walk on a shady 
bank of a stream running through a craggy wild bottom to 
the pool, now emptied of its waters. It is supplied also by 
another meandering stream, on the banks of which are judi- 
ciously placed statues, urns, and resting seats, from each of 
which appear most agreeable and diverting objects, varied 
from each other in every remove, consisting of hills, dales, 
streams, houses, and clumps, rows, and forests of trees on - 
lands in high cultivation. The closing scene was a natural 
perspective view of a charming cascade running in various 
directions, the whole, almost, the eye could trace through 
bending oaks and osiers, from a spot whereon is placed an 
urn inscribed to Virgil and called his grotto or recess. Hence 
to the mossy bower or grotto, where after resting I reluc- 
tantly mounted my horse, and arrived at my new lodgings, 
No. 20 Moor-street, at eight o'clock, much fatigued. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 135 



CHAPTER VI. 

A. D. 1777. Fair at Birmingham. Solio Gardens. Ash ton Park. The 
Author leaves Birmingham for Sheffield. First stage, Litchfield. Cathe- 
dral described. Burton. The Great Staffordshire Canal. Derby Silk- 
Mills. Poreclain Manufactory. Kiddlestone, Seat of Lord Scarsdale. 
Ashburn. Residence of Chaucer. Castleton. Remarkable Cave de- 
scribed. Arrival at Sheffield. Colliery. Wakefield. Original of Gold- 
smith's Vicar of Wakefield, named Johnson. Leeds. Armley. Hudders- 
field. Halifax. A Great Manufacturing Town. Rochdale. Manchester. 
Duke of Bridge water's Canal. St. John's Church. Coal Mines at Wors- 
ley. Description of Manchester. Journey to Bristol. Stockport. Mac- 
clesfield. Leek. Manufactories. Sandon. Stafford. Penkridge. AVol- 
verhampton. Manufactories. Stourbridge. Bromesgrove. Worcester. 
Cathedral described. Tewksbury. Gloucester. Newport. Bristol. 

Birmingham, May 20, 1777. Breakfasted with Mr. G. Rus- 
sell, and with him proceeded to a Mr. Onion's, in order to 
have a sight of his auriculas and polyanthuses, of which he 
has a great variety, and of the finest hues and stripes. Mr. 
Russell having invited company to meet us, we returned to 
his house to dinner, and passed the day agreeably. Arrived 
at our lodgings before nine o'clock. 

3Iay 22. A fair begins here to day, proclaimed by the 
bailiffs, constables, wardens, etc., in procession, beginning at 
eleven o'clock. Streets crowded, many people coming in 
from the country ; a day of jollity rather than business, and 
the evening ends in riot, drunkenness, etc. The low bailiff 
is the first officer in dignity, and by custom is chosen from 
the Dissenters. He nominates the jury, who appoints the 
constables ; he also presides in the courts leet, gives a yearly 
feast, and has no further concern in town affairs. His ser- 
vice continues a year. The high constable inspects the 
markets, and is appointed for life by the Lord-Lieutenant of 
the county. 

May 24. Walked to Soho Gardens ; the grounds natur- 



136 • JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

ally capable of improvements in a high degree ; they already 
consist of gravel-walks in the serpentine form, shrubbery, 
flower borders, an occasional cascade running down a nar- 
row pebbled canal, and emerging into a pond below, con- 
taining two islands. Took an afternoon ramble with my 
companion to Ashton Park, now in possession of Lady Holt, 
about two miles distant; the richness of the soil and high 
cultivation they are in, almost ravished my companion. It 
is almost surrounded with a lofty brick-wall, and is agreeably 
diversified by rows of trees, clumps and single trees, with 
many large spots of clean lands. The house is of brick, in 
the old Gothic style, very large, having battlements on its 
top and round turrets. The church standing on the lands 
and adjoining the avenues of the mansion-house of the es- 
tate of Sir Charles Holt, is remarkable for the smallness of 
the building, and the loftiness of the tower and spire. Re- 
turned home not a little fatigued. 

May 26. Left Birmingham for Sheffield, our first intend- 
ed stage being the city of Litchfield, sixteen miles; roads 
level and sandy, the lands in sight barren and unenclosed. 
Just without the city, and in a field adjoining, we saw for 
the first time the English militia; the men were as likely 
and well accoutred as the King's troops, and as clean and 
well dressed. Arrived at the George Inn, where we bespoke 
dinner, and while it was preparing, walked forth to view the 
city and cathedral; the former of about eight thousand in- 
haiaitants, houses mostly in the old style, few shops and 
little appearance of business. The cathedral is a venerable 
pile ; round the western part of the building stand in muti- 
lated condition many statues, being defaced, as some of its 
inside ornaments were, by the zealots of Cromwell's party 
in the unhappy times of Charles I. There is nothing re- 
markable within except a curiously wrought screen of stone, 
separating the altar from the chapel of the Ten Virgins, to 
whom it was dedicated, and where prayers at six in the 
morning are daily said. The niches in which the Virgins 
stood have remained unfilled ever since the pious purga- 
tors of those times of confusion before mentioned ; and as 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 137 

another instance of their enthusiastic madness, they broke to 
pieces all the stained glass belonging to this church. Over 
the western door is an inscription, stating that this church 
was erected in the 657th year of the Christian era, was en- 
dowed by Offa in the Saxon times, and by Henry 11. and 
Richard I. since. In a flat tomb against the fourth wall lies 
a Dean Haywood, who, many years since, fantastically at- 
tempting to imitate our Saviour in fasting forty days, died 
in fourteen, a martyr to his folly ; two statues, one resem- 
bling him in his full bulk, and the other in his emaciated 
state, remain as monuments to perpetuate his impious folly. 

From this survey we returned to dinner. Arrived at Bur- 
ton at four o'clock, over roads almost an entire level, as soft 
as a carpet, and in a straight direction as far as the eye 
could reach. At the distance of eight miles from our last 
stage we passed the Trent, near to where the great Stafford- 
shire Canal (joining the Trent and Severn) begins ; crossing 
and recrossing it, and travelling on its banks and within 
sight for many miles. This canal is carried over the small 
river Dove and many streams. Took our departure for Der- 
by ; _the roads as pleasing as last stage till near the town, 
when the face of the country became hilly and uneven, 
yielding a new picture to the eye. Stopped at the George- 
and-Dragon Inn, Derby ; took tea, and accompanied by my 
fellow-traveller, rambled through the town, which appears 
to be of considerable extent, having four Episcopal churches. 
The streets are paved with small pebbles ; some of them of 
a convenient width, the rest narrow, having a gutter in the 
middle, common to most of the paved towns. Here is a 
square, paved, serving as a parade for the military, parties 
of which are posted in every great town. One side is built 
on arches, forming a shelter for the inhabitants from inclem- 
ent weather. There is great appearance of trade, and, in- 
deed, the silk-mills, flatting and rolling-mills, and lead-works, 
employ many hands. Here are also many shops, which 
for size and arrangement resemble those of London. 

Derby, May 27. We visited the famous silk-mills, and 
were told by the master-workman that ninety-seven thou- 

12* 



138 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

sand movements were set to work by a single large water- 
wheel. The house is two hundred feet long and thirty-six 
feet wide, and has five floors, each filled by machines. 

From thence made a visit to the porcelain manufactory ; 
the principal ingredient is common flint-stones reduced to 
an impalpable powder after being broken in a water-mill. 
All the images are cast in very small parts at first, joined 
together by hand, as the head, the hands, etc. ; the moulds are 
made of plaster of Paris, and not bigger than the outside shell 
of a large walnut, which they resemble, and like them con- 
sist of four parts. The fancy pieces, as flowers, images, etc., 
are formed, and a clear liquor poured into the moulds ; in 
less than two minutes, the liquor bring absorbed, a solid 
figure is left, which after it is dried is painted, gilded, etc., 
and passes the fire four several times, and, if gilt, undergoes 
polishing to bring it to its lustre. 

From this cursory survey we returned to our inn, and de- 
parted for Lord Scarsdale's seat, called Kiddlestone, four 
miles distant. Arrived at the portal and lodge in the form 
of a triumphal arch built of stone ; through this we were 
admitted into the park, observable for the greatest quantity 
of large white oaks and elms. About a mile from the en- 
trance, over a straight, clean carpet road, we came to the 
lawn, terminated by the house, making a noble appearance ; 
passing a large handsome stone bridge thrown over a fine 
stream made by art. On the lawn, on every side of the 
house, are large single oaks, also many clumps and rows, 
which with the great herds of horned cattle make a most 
picturesque view. The entrance to the house is by a double 
flight of steps under a grand portico, being formed of noble 
columns supporting a pediment, having in front my Lord's 
arms, and crowned on the top with three female figures, 
erect, representing Plenty, Peace, and Wisdom. The centre 
contains the great hall, and on the back front the saloon ; 
the ceiling of the former is supported by fourteen red veined 
alabaster fluted pillars of the Corinthian order on each side ; 
its height forty feet, length sixty-seven, and width forty-two ; 
the panels of the doors light airy papier mache manufacture ; 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 139 

the designs are from Greek and Roman mythology ; the floor- 
ing most beautiful clear oak, taken from my Lord's forests, 
as the pillars are from his own quarry, and bear an excellent 
polish. The wings are connected by circular corridors, and 
in each wing twenty-one rooms on a floor elegantly finished 
and furnished. The state bed has very curiously carved 
posts, its furniture and hangings blue damask ; my Lady's 
dressing-plate the greatest in quantity of any I have seen 
except the Queen's, and is silver embossed, double gilt. My 
Lady was at home, and remained to indulge us with a sight 
of every part of the house. The living of my Lord and Lady 
when in the country is quite in the family way. Their 
eldest daughter, going in a loose country dress to take a 
ramble over the lawn, on discovering us retreated back and 
disappeared. This house, for situation, elegance and gran- 
deur united, need not yield to any. 

From this pleasing spot we departed for Ashburn, the 
first town on the peak; 'tis a country town, has a market 
and an Episcopal church, but is remarkable for nothing that 
I could learn except its being a station for those whose 
curiosity brings them rather to view Dovedale and Islam 
gardens, the residence of old Chaucer, where strangers are 
shown the very spot in which he wrote many of his pieces. 

3Iay 28. Rising early we departed in a post-chaise for 
Castleton, situated near the mouth of the Devil's Peak ; the 
road is over bare and dreary hills ; the whole country that is 
inclosed is by stone-walls, being extremely barren of trees, 
shrubs, and bushes, many hundred acres together not having 
the appearance of either. The divisions of land much larger 
than to be met with elsewhere, and scarce a house to be seen, 
being situated, I presume, in bottoms laid from the road ; the 
sheep are small, and distinguished from all others by a kind 
of rufl" or ridge of long hair round the neck. From the plain 
we descended into the town, lying in the bottom, in a road 
encompassing half the ridge of mountains, extending to a 
great length from hence : this road in many places is very 
steep, and at almost every step hazardous, and the accident 
of the horses stumbling, the reins breaking, or wheels coming 



140 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

off, would throw one down a precipice, when nothing short 
of a miracle could preserve him from destruction. The 
tower of the church, of an ordinary height, when first discov- 
ered seemed to be many hundred feet beneath us. Arrived 
at the George Inn, and took the guide, who seasonably ar- 
rived with some gentlemen whom he had just attended 
through the cavern. 

Set off from the inn to visit this remarkable subterrane- 
ous frightful pit, etc., distance from hence about five hundred 
yards ; the entrance is between two lofty eminences, almost 
perpendicular, or rather overhanging, of a height eighty-seven 
yards ; its appearance awfully great and terrifying ; part is 
craggy and clothed in trees and shrubs. The passage into 
this natural cave is under an arch fourteen yards high and 
forty wide, rising somewhat higher ; within the first cave 
resides a woman of thirty-seven years of age, who was born 
in a hut here, and has inhabited it ever since ; — besides her, 
here are dwelling two more families, and several of the 
town's-people who daily resort here to labor in the twine 
spinning, in which business more than a score are daily em- 
ployed. Light enough is admitted to do that and any com- 
mon work ; from the mouth to the further end of Post Cavern 
is eighty yards, and from thence to the first water is seventy 
yards, making in all one hundred and fifty yards. Over this 
water, fourteen yards in length, I was conveyed in a small 
boat, for the greater part of the distance lying on my back • 
the arch being too low to sit* upright. The depth of the 
water is two and a half feet, which the guide, Robert Dakin, 
waded through, pushing the boat before him. My compan- 
ion choosing me to explore the unknown regions, I first en- 
tered, and he took the second passage, and I waited for him 
before I proceeded. At the further end of the first cave, a 
good woman with a dozen candles attended to furnish each 
of us with one, which, having lighted, each took in his hand 
and proceeded from the first water, one by one, in a narrow 
path to another cavern distant ninety yards, the width of 
which was seventy yards, and height forty ; from hence at a 
small distance is the second water, over which I was carried 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 141 

first on our guide's back ten yards; its depth is perhaps a foot. 
My companion next followed at the right of the attendants, 
and forded it on foot. Our next stage was in a cave called 
Roger Rains, from a continual dropping through the rocks 
and earth. The entrance to the grand cavern is under an 
arch fifteen rods high ; this forms a kind of hanging gallery, 
on the top of which stood seven singers, each holding a 
lighted candle in his hand. They entertained us with " Fill, 
Jill the glasses ; " the splendor of the lights reflected from the 
vaulted roof, and the grand echo, pleased us beyond expres- 
sion. On our return we were saluted by this same company 
with ^'■God save the King.^^ From hence we went forward 
to the Devil's Cellar ; of the origin of this name we could 
not be informed ; there is nothing in its appearance hideous, 
nor from whence we could conjecture its name. Here we 
descended fifty yards on a road of firm sand, and from 
hence the path leads to the cascade, which is heard at con- 
siderable distance ; the discharge is by a stream dividing it- 
self into two channels, crossing the cavern and continued 
under the hill, at the bottom of which, at its opposite foot, 
it forms a small river. From hence to a place called " The 
Top," and thence to the four regular arches, as regular as if 
formed by design ; and from hence to Tom of Lincoln, (so 
called from its resemblance to the top of a bell and its enor- 
mous magnitude,) and from thence to the extremity of the 
cavern, distant from its mouth seven hundred and fifty yards. 
The level at the further end of the cavern was taken by 
Doctor Solander and Mr. Banks, and is two hundred and 
fifty yards ; — the charming appearance of the external light 
on our approach towards the first cave, on our return back, 
excited a most pleasing sensation. Over the cavern is an 
ancient fortification in the Roman manner. After discharg- 
ing the customary dues for candles, singers, etc., through a 
crowd of beggars who always attend strangers at the mouth 
on their return, which we were cautioned to neglect, passed 
on to our inn, where we dined, and soon departed for Shef- 
field, where we arrived about six o'clock, and alighted at 
the George Inn. 



142 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Sheffield, May 29. Presented an introductory letter from 
Mr. George Russell, of Birniingham, to his correspondent, 
a Mr. Broomhead, whose reception of us at first was cool, 
but his after demeanor and hospitality much more than 
counterbalanced the former ; I rather imputed it to an hon- 
est bluntness and ignorance of forms. He is a wealthy 
cutler, whose principal business lay in the American line. 
Attended by him we walked round the town to several 
branches, as rolling-mills, grinding cutlery, white-lead mill, 
etc. After dinner strolled amongst the multitude to the race 
ground called " Crooke's Moor ; " the number supposed to be 
full twenty thousand. From a lofty stand opposite the 
ground I had a full view of the race ; four heats were run, 
the first by seven horses ; the plate, a silver gilt cup, worth 
seventy pounds, was gained by a horse called " Why Not," 
who, on the first two heats was almost distanced. The hu- 
mors of the race I had an opportunity of seeing in perfec- 
tion ; the different passions wherewith they were agitated 
afforded me no small diversion. The horses were called by 
the names of their riders, who were differently clothed, as 
pink, orange, scarlet, striped, etc., etc. The plate, procured 
by subscription of the town, was carried by the constable at- 
tended by the town officers in their habits, preceded by a 
flag. On the ground were erected many stands, and all 
filled; the last heat was scarcely over till nine o'clock in the 
evening. 

May 30. Called on Mr. J. Broomhead, and with him 
walked through the town to the colliery,tiso called, being a 
road-way from the Duke of Norfolk's pits to the yard, in 
which the coal is taken up into carts and conveyed to town ; 
the descent easy, and by means of a spring, the carts, with- 
out horses, under the guidance of a man, being conveyed by 
a sort of self-motion for more than a mile. At the end of 
the way the carts are run on stages, through which, by tilt- 
ing them, the contents are discharged. After a view of this 
curious contrivance, we retired homewards, but meeting Mr. 
Aspden, of Philadelphia, a gentleman with whom we dined 
at Mr. Smith's, in Birmingham, a few days before, agreed to 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 143 

join company, and immediately departed in a stage-coach 
from Sheffield, and arrived at Black Barnsley through a de- 
lightful though uneven road ; distance fourteen miles. Here 
we took post-chaises, and in two hours alighted at Wake- 
field, a clothing town, wherein appear evident tokens of 
taste in building and of wealth ; the avenues to it delightful, 
the roads like a carpet-walk, on one side a raised terrace 
walk for foot-passengers, flagged for more than two miles ; 
the lands hereabouts excellent, and under the most improved 
cultivation. The Westgate-street has the noblest appear- 
ance of any I ever saw, out of London ; its pavements in 
the best order; its length near half a mile, and width ten 
rods. Were it not for some old, low buildings, London 
could not boast a more magnificent street. It has a very 
large Episcopal church, with a remarkably lofty tower and 
spire. The principal character in the novel called " The 
Vicar of Wakefield " was taken from the late vicar of this 
church, named Johnson, whose peculiarly odd and singular 
humor has exposed his memory to the ridicule of that satire. 
We soon after departed for Leeds in a post-chaise, through 
good roads and fertile lands ; from Sheffield to Leeds the 
face of the country is more pleasing, the lands in better im- 
provement and more peopled, than in more than twenty 
counties I have passed through in England ; alighted at the 
" Old King's Arms " at nine o'clock, where we supped and 
lodged. 

Leeds, May 31. Sent our names to S. Elam and waited 
breakfast ; he soon came, but having taken his, declined 
partaking with us. We walked forth under his guidance, 
and took dinner with him afterwards ; rambled to a village 
called Armley, to see a scribbling-mill, by which more wool 
is discharged than ten hands can do in the same time. It 
is performed by a horse, but its construction cannot be de- 
scribed, not being exposed to open view, it being a favor 
shown to Mr. Elam, on whose account we were favored with 
a sight of it. Too nice an inspection would have excited 
suspicion, which we wished to avoid. The manufacturers 
of every kind through England are not pleased to admit 



144 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

strangers to a sight of the machines and process of their 
business. Fronn thence we returned back on the sides of the 
canal, which for the first time is to be opened with ceremony- 
next Wednesday ; no part of it has hitherto been used. 

June 2. This town is said to contain ten thousand peo- 
ple, many well-filled shops, and various trades ; its principal 
business in narrow and coarse woollen cloths, consigned to 
foreign orders, but little to London or inland trade ; many 
of its merchants are wealthy. It has a large cloth market of 
brick, of three ranges, each range having two walks, and the 
walks are called King-street, Queen-street, Cheapside, etc. 
Set off for Huddersfield, distant sixteen miles, and is the 
town to which the merchants of Leeds, Halifax, and Wake- 
field resort to buy cloths from the clothiers abounding in this 
neighborhood. The town of Huddersfield is very old-built, 
and has a wretched appearance. The butchery was built by 
Sir John Ramsey, proprietor of the land, whose rent is sev- 
enty pounds. After dinner we entered a post-chaise for Hal- 
ifax, where we arrived at six o'clock. 

This town is supposed to be larger than Leeds ; its streets, 
if it can be said to have any, are excellently paved, and have 
a convenient flagged walk on each side raised ; lying uneven 
they are always clean ; but in general they are narrow and 
short, each end bounded by a triangular house; many large and 
well-built ones in, but more just without the town. The sit- 
uation of the town is on an uneven, low eminence, surround- 
ed by lofty hills on all sides in the most improved condition^ 
laid out in lots bounded by live hedges, rows of trees, and 
stone-walls, almost as even as the walls of a house. The 
whole country for many miles within view abounds in man- 
ufactories and farm-houses ; the people here are numerous 
and industrious ; their houses very cleanly. Amongst other 
kinds of good conduct, we in our rambles saw fifteen chil- 
dren employed in bending wires and preparing them in the 
various branches of card-making, and were told their earn- 
ings were from two and sixpence to five shillings a week ; 
which employment not only keeps their little minds from 
vice, but renders them early capable of providing for their 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 145 

own support, and takes a heavy burden from their poor 
parents. We entered a nap-raising mill ; the process is per- 
formed by laying a cloth under an instrument divided into 
little squares of the diameter of the nap designed to be 
raised, or rather larger, carried by water. This instrument 
is about eight feet long and two feet wide, and is jostled 
backwards and forwards by means of a little gage filled with 
teeth suited to a cog-wheel, which receives its motion from 
another communicating with a great wheel. By Mr. Asp- 
den's desire, we accompanied him immediately on our arrival 
to a Mr. Rawson's seat, a little out of Halifax, called " Stony- 
ride,^'' meaning Stony-road, the road to it being stony, (the 
Yorkshire people often using an i for an o.) This was a 
friend to whom he had a letter; neither Mr. Rawson nor his 
sons were at home ; but soon after our return to the inn one 
of his sons came, and would have engaged us to accompany 
him back, but it being late, we declined it for this evening, 
which he passed and supped with us. 

Halifax, June 3. Rambled with my companions to the 
lofty surrounding hills, from whence we had an ample view 
of the town ; only one parish church, the mother of twelve 
of the neighboring ones ; sectaries of various kinds abound 
here. By the manufacturers living hereabouts there is build- 
ing of stone a large and commodious market-house, con- 
taining a square of one hundred and ten yards by ninety ; 
its lower story is fronted by short square pillars, forming 
arcades, on the back part of which are rooms for each sep- 
arate manufacturer, of twelve feet by eight, and before the 
rooms a covered walk of four feet wide ; the second story is 
supported by square pillars cut into rustic, with a walk be- 
fore, as below, but more open and spacious, the pillars not 
being so large. The floor of the third story is surrounded by 
Doric pillars supporting the roof, containing the same accom- 
modations as below; the height of each story twelve feet. 
The town is all built of stone, very irregular, but its streets 
the best paved of any town in England, London not ex- 
cepted, and from the unevenness of the ground always clean. 
By the hospitality of Mr. Rawson we were delayed here for 

13 



146 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

two days, whose importunity would not suffer us to depart 
till Thursday, the fifth. We passed our time pleasantly 
enough in visiting, among other things, his copperas works ; 
the copperas made from that part of common pit-coal called 
slate, charged with sulphur ; its process easy and short, being 
collected and thrown into a large heap, perhaps of two or 
three hundred tons ; — water poured on it, which, filtering 
through, passes by pipes into an underground cistern or large 
receiver, is boiled, and from thence carried into a smaller cis- 
tern like the distillers' ; there remaining until it cools and 
crystallizes. 

Thursday, June 5. Departed from Halifax in a post-chaise, 
taking leave of our late companion Aspden, who left us at 
the inn for Preston, on horseback. Pursuing the road we 
ascended a long hill of more than a mile, and soon arrived at 
a very lofty ridge of the most desolate and forlorn appear- 
ance, called Blackstone Edge, continuing for several miles. 
The road level, hard and straight,'and on that score pleasant; 
the land waste and of a russet hue, covered with furze ; not 
a tree, shrub, bush, or plant, hedge or wall to be seen. From 
hence we descended into low grounds, well inhabited and 
improved ; in one respect this part of England is more pleas- 
ing than the others ; the grounds are covered with houses, 
each manufacturer having a small farm or parcel of land 
besides his trade to depend on, there being more freeholders, 
or owners of small farms and plantations, here than in any 
county of the kingdom. We arrived at Rochdale about two 
o'clock, engaged dinner, and took a ramble. The church 
stands on a hill, to which the ascent is by a hundred stone- 
steps. This town is remarkable for many wealthy mer- 
chants ; it has a large woollen-market, the merchants from 
Halifax, etc., repairing hither weekly ; the neighborhood 
abounds in clothiers. From hence the road to Manchester, 
distant about thirteen miles, is level and sandy, the soil light, 
the general nature of the land in this county, where the 
people speak an uncouth, peculiar dialect, unintelligible to 
the ears of strangers. About six o'clock we alighted at the 
" Spread-eagle Inn," and procured private lodgings at Mrs. 
Barlow's, next door to the inn. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 147 

Manchester, June 6. Walked out to the Duke of Bridge- 
water's Canal, and on its banks met Mr. Nelson, who for 
some time lodged at Mrs. Leavitt's, in Salem, New England ; 
he is from Ireland, passing through the manufacturing towns 
to London. We stepped into St. John's Church, a small 
but elegant edifice in Gothic style ; over the altar is a fine 
stained-glass window, executed at York ; three erect images 
of St. Peter, Christ, and St. James, the colors quite lively, 
which the meridian lustre of the sun's rays not a little 
assisted. In the vestry is another window by the same hand; 
on this is stained the founder's name, a Squire Byrom. This 
church was finished in 1769 ; its tower is crowned with bat- 
tlements and high pinnacles ; the body of the church having 
such also all around its roof. From hence we adjourned to 
the Castlefield, to see the exercise of the militia, making as 
good appearance as the King's troops in discipline and dress. 
This field is an eminence of oval form, and here are sup- 
posed to be the remains of an old Roman encampment, the 
outside wall and cement yet to be seen. From this place 
we adjourned to the " Royal Oak" ordinary. 

June 7. With Mr. Nelson set off for the canal, intending 
to take a passage to Worsley to visit the Duke of Bridge- 
water's coal-mines. After some delay we entered the pas- 
sage-boat, drawn by a horse in the manner of the Trek- 
schuits in Holland. Arrived at Worsley in two hours, pass- 
ing athwart the river Irwell, over which the canal runs, 
being raised on arches not less than fifty feet in height above 
that stream. In many places the bottom of the canal is con- 
siderably higher than the level of the neighboring grounds. 
Sent compliments to Mr. Gilbert, the steward, asking the 
favor of seeing the Duke's under-ground works, which was 
granted, and we stepped into the boat, passing into an arch- 
way partly of brick and partly cut through the stone, of about 
three and a half feet high ; we received at entering six light- 
ed candles. This archway, called a funnel, runs into the 
body of the mountain almost in a direct line three thousand 
feet, its medium depth beneath the surface about eighty feet; 
we were half an hour passing that distance. Here begins the 



148 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

first under-ground road to the pits, ascending into the wagon 
road, so called, about four feet above the water, being a high- 
way for the wagons, containing about a ton weight, of the 
form of a mill-hopper, running on wheels, to convey the coals 
to the barges or boats. Under the guidance of a miner, with 
each a lighted candle in his hand, we proceeded through an 
arched-way about five feet high, walking with our bodies at 
an angle of less than sixty degrees, through a road of three 
feet in width, a length of eight hundred yards, arrived at the 
coal-mine, which, appearing about five feet through the roof, 
was supported by many posts, the area being about twenty 
feet square and height scarce four. From this dismal abode, 
which my companion, whose name was Chandler, would fain 
have dissuaded me from proceeding to visit, after remaining 
a few minutes, I hastened back to our boat. One may go 
six miles by water in various directions, the wagon-ways to 
the pits lying below the level of the water ; it is said the dis- 
tance from the mouth is six miles in the funnel. A hundred 
men are daily employed, and each turns out a ton a day ; the 
miners' wages two shillings, and the laborers' about one shil- 
ling. Price of coal at the pit twopence per hundred weight ; 
at the key threepence halfpenny, and at the door fourpence 
halfpenny. The boat having left, we returned to town on 
foot, five miles through fields and vacant lands. 

The centre of this town of Manchester consists principally 
of old buildings ; its streets narrow, irregularly built, with 
many capital houses interspersed. By Act of Parliament old 
buildings are taken down to enlarge the streets. It has a 
few good ones ; King-street is the best built, is long and 
sufficiently wide ; most of its houses noble. Great additions 
of buildings and streets are daily making, and of a larger 
size than at Birmingham, nor have all the new ones so dusky 
a face as in that town, and in that respect are fairer and bet- 
ter ; for extent of ground whereon it stands, nor number of 
inhabitants, does the latter exceed or in my opinion come up 
to it. The disposition and manners of this people, as given 
by themselves, are inhospitable and boorish. I have seen 
nothing to contradict this assertion, though my slender ac- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 149 

quaintance will not justify me in giving that character. In 
all the manufacturing towns there is a jealousy and suspicion 
of strangers; an acquaintance with one manufacturer effect- 
ually debars one from connection with a second in the same 
business. It is with difficulty one is admitted to see their 
works, and in many cases it is impracticable, express prohi- 
bitions being given by the masters. The Dissenters are some 
of the most wealthy merchants and manufacturers here, but 
mortally abhorred by the Jacobites. The dress of the people 
here savors not much of the London mode in general ; the 
people are remarkable for coarseness of feature, and the 
language is unintelligible. 

Manchester, June 8. Attended public worship at a Dis- 
senters' meeting-house, — both services. Walked to the end 
of Danesgate, and drank tea at our companion Nelson's 
lodgings ; and were amused by the free and unrestrained 
chat of his landlady, named Hudson, a Quaker in religion, 
and Jacobite in political principle. The number of the latter 
description since the English prince mounted the throne is 
somewhat lessened here, as I am told by our landlady, who 
is in the abdicated family's interest, which is here openly 
professed ; all of that party putting up large oak-boughs over 
their doors on the 29th May, to express joy at the glorious 
event of the restoration of the Stuart family to the English 
throne; many such I saw. The ladies, who, if they take a 
part, are ever violent, scruple not openly and without re- 
straint to drink Prince Charles's health, and express their 
wishes for his restoration to his paternal kingdoms. I saw 
the house wherein the prince, as he is called, dwelt whilst 
here, (at the time of his invasion) ; the gentleman and his 
family still remain in it, and steady to their principles, which, 
however, did not hurry them into lengths that exposed them 
to the resentment of Government. His name is Dixon, and 
his house is in Market-street Lane, on the left as one goes 
from the market ; and our host, a Mr. Bower, with whom we 
passed a very social evening at his house in Leigh-street, told 
us Lord John Murray and his secretary lodged at his house 
at that time. One of those executed here in the last rebel- 

13* 



150 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

lion was a son of a woman who had borne twenty-nine chil- 
dren. 

June 9. Passed the day in rambling about town with our 
new-found companion, Nelson. 

June 11. Having agreed to join Mr. Nelson in a post- 
chaise to York, in the neighborhood of which we propose to 
cease from our labors, and hoping the rewards of a cheap 
plentiful country to reside in for some time, for this purpose 
we went to engage a chaise at the old " White Swan 
Inn," where we saw three young countrymen, a Capt. 
Gore, Mr. Joy and son, at the end of their ramble northward 
from London, designing to return to Bristol by way of Wol- 
verhampton. My fellow-traveller on this discovery, tired of 
his expensive ramble, immediately took fire and determined 
to abandon me, and accompany them on their intended 
route ; loth to part in this quarter and in the situation I was 
then in, for certain prudential reasons, agreed to his fantastic 
plan, though entirely contrary to my wish and views ; and 
having disengaged ourselves from Mr. Nelson, to his morti- 
fication, engaged a post-chaise to Macclesfield. On the 12th 
June we proceeded on through a road of seven miles paved 
with pebbles to Stockport, a considerable town, having some 
reputable buildings ; its streets are narrow and paved. From 
hence to Macclesfield lying in Cheshire about twelve miles, 
being our first stage from Manchester. At five miles from 
this is the seat of Sir George Warren, surrounded by finely 
improved lands and pleasure-grounds, lying on my left. A 
little beyond on the right is the seat of Charles Leigh, Esq., 
possessed of four thousand a year, and of a considerable 
tract adjoining to Manchester, which he has laid out in 
streets to be let on building leases. At Macclesfield we 
alighted, breakfasted, etc., departed for Leek, a distance of 
thirteen miles ; the former town has a silk-mill or mills, and 
a manufactory which appears not to have much business. 
The town in general is ill-built, the houses, as in most manu- 
facturing places, of most credit in its environs. From the 
George Inn we departed not greatly pleased with the host's 
attendance, nor I with my companion's behavior here. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS 151 

Leek, at which I now am, has a manufactory of silk and 
ribbons, and one for hair-buttons ; the former chiefly for the 
great dealers at Coventry, though very largely for foreign or- 
ders and the London supply, as well as the inland towns. 
From hence to Sandon, called in this country language 
Sand, is a distance of eighteen miles, which we were four 
hours in passing. Here we alighted at " the Dog and Duck," 
supped and lodged ; the former as quietly served up, and 
as genteelly, as could be in London ; the town is small, 
houses scattering, and of an indifferent aspect. 

June 13. Departed without breakfast for Stafford, the 
county town ; the roads in general are sandy, but on our ap- 
proaching the town, the lands assumed a better face. The 
main street through which we passed is paved, the houses 
well built, full shops, and an appearance of business and of 
wealth. On our right, at the distance of a mile, stands on 
the summit of an insulated hill, cut, as should seem, by art, 
into a cone about one third down, a stone edifice, like a lofty 
tower, which is the only remains of Stafford Castle, making 
an agreeable object to a traveller. From hence the lands 
and roads are greatly altered for the better ; fine pastures) 
excellent live-hedge fences, and rows of trees in great abun- 
dance. Our next stage was a distance of ten miles, at a place 
called Penkridge; here again we took another driver, car- 
riage and horses, and through a most excellent turnpike road 
and a delightfully improved country, arrived at the old "An- 
gel Inn," Wolverhampton, where we dined, and having de- 
spatched a messenger for my old friend Timmins, he soon 
arrived ; by his invitation accompanied him and our com- 
panion to see the great manufactory of Taylor and Jones, 
(who are also exporting merchants,) for japanning tin, paper, 
snuffboxes, iron tools, etc. This town is large, has a capi- 
tal manufactory in the lock and hinge way, and most other 
branches of the iron business, and is supposed to contain 
twenty thousand inhabitants. Like all the old towns it is ill- 
built, and like Birmingham has a dusky look. Once for all, 
its numbers I judge are overrated ; every town and borough 
is so. After repeated invitations to remain we departed be- 



152 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

fore six o'clock for Stourbridge, distant ten miles, to which 
we arrived at half-past seven, being driven Jehu-like through 
roads as level, hard and pleasant as a garden gravel-walk ; 
the country yielding a pleasant view from good husbandry, 
fruitful soil, lofty trees and live hedges. We were agreeably 
disappointed, for instead of a pitiful, mean town, as its ave- 
nues seemed to threaten, we found a well-built, large, lively 
and rich town, having a noble, wide and convenient street a 
mile long, with cross streets well paved. It is famous for 
glass, nails, heavy iron work, as anvils, etc., and some cloth 
manufactories. After rambling for an hour over the town, 
we supped and retired to rest. 

Stourbridge^ June 14. Set off at eight o'clock and arrived 
at the " Crown " Inn, Bromesgrove, twelve miles, at ten ; a 
respectable town, but it contains no large manufactories ; the 
only one of any consideration is for linen cloth. The lands 
about here in an excellent state of husbandry and fertile ; 
farm-houses and gentlemen's seats more numerous in this 
and the following stage than on any road we had passed in 
this route, except the West Riding of Yorkshire, to which it 
bears a comparison. Were set down at the Bell Inn, Broad- 
street, Worcester, at twelve o'clock ; a very handsome, well- 
built city, having spacious, airy streets, a noble cathedral and 
elegant modern houses ; its shops large and well filled, the 
town lively and full of business ; its inhabitants have the 
character of being polite and genteel, and indeed they have 
more the air of Londoners than at any place I have seen. 
The Severn runs on one side of the city, by which convey- 
ance is easy to Gloucester, the distance being twenty-eight 
miles, performed in seven hours in small vessels. Here is a 
manufacture of porcelain, said to be the best made in Eng- 
land. While rambling through the streets we fell by acci- 
dent into the Cathedral Green, and meeting a boy with a 
prayer-book in one hand and the church-key in the other, he 
accosted us with, " Gentlemen, are ye a mind to go into the 
church ? " and on our answering in the affirmative, the door- 
keeper admitted us. It has many old monuments, (as well 
as modern,) particularly that of King John, whose body by 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 153 

his desire was buried in the choir just before the high altar, 
over which spot is a flat statue of him. Here also lies in a 
little chapel the body of Prince Arthur, eldest son of Henry 
VIL, and likewise an Oswald, a bishop of this see before 
the Norman Conquest ; the only modern I thought worthy to 
remember is the worthy Dr. Hough, about forty years since a 
bishop of this see. The chapter-house, also used as a libra- 
ry, is of an oval form, and its walls to a considerable height 
covered with cases faced with glass, and very well filled with 
books. In this city is a magnificent town-hall, having be- 
low many full-length portraits. This being market-day, the 
streets were so thronged that our chaise could scarce make 
its way through to the inn. Having spent four hours in this 
beautiful and pleasant place, we departed for Tevvksbury, a 
considerable town ; here the apple-orchards began to appear 
of uncommon height and bigness. From the western quar- 
ter of Staffordshire to the very houses of Bristol, through the 
delightful counties of Worcester and Gloucester, the fields, 
pastures and enclosures have an uncommon richness and 
verdure ; fruit and forest-trees in greater abundance and 
larger girth and greater height than are to be seen elsewhere 
in England. Tewksbury has no capital manufacture except 
for white cotton stockings, for which it is noted. It is re- 
markable, however, for a parish church one hundred and 
seven yards long, and more than twenty-five broad ; its roof 
supported by round shafted pillars seven yards in girth ; con- 
tains several old monuments. The first I observed was 
Richard Nevil, the great Earl of Warwick, called the king- 
maker, raised on a lofty monument scarce as big as the life, 
in a kneeling posture with uplifted closed hands ; in a chapel 
are decumbent his daughter and her husband George, Duke 
of Clarence ; and in a flat grave just before the door of the 
choir, is the tomb of Henry, son of the unfortunate Henry VI. 
June 15. From the Sun Inn, Tewksbury, we departed be- 
fore breakfast, and through rough and dirty roads arrived at 
the " Bell " Inn, Gloucester, at nine o'clock ; notwithstand- 
ing the fine plentiful harvests of corn, cider, and pasturage, 
for which this county is noted, for miles around the city the 



154 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

houses are small, dirty, and in ill-repair, the avenues slov- 
enly, fences and walls in a ruinous state, the barns gener- 
ally of wood, all tottering to their fall ; the bridges the 
meanest and in the worst condition anywhere to be passed. 
After breakfast and dressing, we all attended worship in the 
cathedral, being decently and respectfully provided with seats 
in the choir; the service was chanted. The dean and sub- 
dean performed the communion service. From church I re- 
paired to our inn, leaving my fellow-travellers to pursue their 
ramble till dinner-time. Dirty narrow streets, and mean, ill- 
repaired houses, constitute too great a part of this city to 
render it an agreeable residence. After dinner, young Joy 
and I rambled into the cathedral ; the cloisters are reckoned 
the finest in England ; after viewing them we retreated into 
the church, and meeting one of the vergers, were conducted 
by him to the old monuments. Thence back to the inn, 
when we took coach and left the city, part of our company 
being already gone. The next stage was at Newport, con- 
sisting only of four inns and a Dissenting meeting-house, dis- 
tant from our last stage fifteen miles and from Bristol eigh- 
teen ; the roads are dirty and rough, the slovenliness of the 
farmers' houses and the richness of soil were as before. Here 
we lodged. 

Newport, June 16. After breakfast departed alone, our 
fellow-travellers being already gone, and at twelve o'clock 
alighted at the " White Lion " Inn, Broad-street, Bristol ; 
dined and afterwards visited Radcliffe Church ; drank tea at 
Mr. Waldo's. 

Bristol, June 17. Breakfasted at Mr. Waldo's ; walked to 
Hot Wells, and Mr. Gouldney's grotto; after dinner accom- 
panied my fellow-travellers to Taylor's glass works ; in our 
way through " Long-Row," were attacked by the virulent 
tongue of a vixen, who saluted us by the names of " damned 
American Rebels," etc. In our return from Hot Wells, we 
passed a person dressed in green, with a small round hat 
flapped before, very like an English country gentleman, who 
is the supposed Count Falkenstein, under which character 
the Emperor of Germany travels incog. Removed our trunks 
to a Mr. Sladen's in Queen's Square. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 155 



CHAPTER VIL 

A. D. 1777. Entry of Member of Parliament elect into Bristol. The 
Author visits the Cathedral. Stapleton. Dundry Tower. Bath. Amer- 
ican Privateers in St. George's Channel. Visit to Wales. Swansea. 
Welsh Customs. Neath. Cowbridge. Cardiff. Newport. Return to 
Bristol. Advices from New York. Adventure of Charles II. Dean 
Tucker. John Wesley. Journey to Exeter. Sidmouth. Axminster. 
Birthplace of the Great Duke of Marlborough. Carpet Manufactories. 
Thoi'ncombe. Culliford. Slade. Ottery. Return to Exeter. News of 
Gen. Burgoyne's Surrender. Close of the Year. 

Bristol^ June 18, 1777. This being the day in which Mr. 
Chester, the County Member elect, is to make his triumphal 
entry into the city, it was ushered in by ringing of bells and 
discharging of cannon, the noise of which early disturbed 
my rest. On the towers of all the churches were displayed 
colors and jacks ; ensigns and pendants on most of the ves- 
sels at the quays. On Brandon Hill were placed twenty-two 
cannon, discharging several rounds in the day, answered by 
the vessels. After dinner I strolled through the streets that 
were lined with people, reaching from the extent of the city 
on the farther side quite through and up to the rising grounds 
on the Down, beyond Park-street, the windows on each side 
filled to behold the great man. My stand was on the open 
space on the hither side of the bridge over the Frome ; the 
procession began at seven o'clock ; footmen two and two, 
then followed others on horseback, two and two in the centre. 
Mr. Chester preceded, and was followed by more than a 
thousand persons, of whom one hundred and fifty were 
mounted and clad in new blue coats and breeches, with buff 
waistcoats, the Duke of Beaufort's hunting garb. These 
were headed by the champion dressed in blue silk, armed 



156 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

cap-a-pie, and at all points, bearing in his hand a mace that 
he waved every hundred steps ; stopping his horse at the 
same time, on which arose three loud huzzas. The rear 
was brought up by nearly a hundred carriages ; the day was 
devoted to mirth and festivity, nor was the following night 
without its share. The Duke of Beaufort, whose man Mr. 
Chester was, privately left the procession just before its arri- 
val in town, and took a stand in a friend's house with his 
duchess to see the parade through the town, and enjoy the 
triumph over his rival without observation. 



TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH, DEVON. 

Bristol, June 19, 1777. 
Deau Sir : 

After a long, expensive, and not very pleasing tour, I am 
at length set down, for some weeks' abode at least, in this 
city. My experience, dearly enough bought, teaches me that 
manufacturing towns are not proper places of residence for 
idle people, either on account of pleasure or profit ; — the 
expenses of living being as high almost as at St James's in 
every such town, how far distant soever from the capital. The 
spirit of bargaining and taking advantage runs through every 
line of life there, but in the north it is cruelly predominant. 
I know not but I may ramble before cold weather again to 
the west, for Exeter with all its faults is paradise itself to 
Manchester or any town in the north I have seen. 

Having by accident met Mr. John Boylston in the Amer- 
ican Coffee- House, who informs me he is going off to-mor- 
row for Exeter, I would not fail to embrace so fair an op- 
portunity to let you hear from me, though I had nothing but 
that simple article to acquaint you with. Nothing will 
yield me more satisfaction than to hear of your and my 
other friends' welfare in the west. I had the pleasure to 
see Counseller "White, now on a tour through North Wales, 
etc.; be pleased to make my compliments to his family and 
my acquaintance in your neighborhood. God bless your 
E-everence, and succeed your pious endeavors to reform you 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 157 

flock. You have mine, and I hope for your prayers, and 
remain. Your assured friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

June 22. Walked to the cathedral, entering just as service 
was about to be begun. Mr. Haynes, a canon, preached ; a 
likely figure, but a dull, heavy writer and speaker: the 
church is kept in nice order. One half of this building was 
demolished by Cromwell when he bombarded it, and forced 
Prince Rupert to retire, who for some time kept him out, but 
was at last forced to abandon it. From hence adjourned to 
to the Mayor's Chapel, in which I saw several monuments 
erected A. D. 1268-9, it having been, I presume, the chapel 
of a Knight Templar's house. Here we heard the conclusion 
of an excellent sermon by the chaplain, Mr. Ireland. In the 
afternoon, attended worship at St. Stephen's. Evening, at 
Mr. J. Waldo's, in Brunswick Square. 

June 25. Passed the afternoon and evening at Mr. Barnes' 
at quadrille with Mr. Waldo and Mr. Oxnard ; also met S. 
Porter there, on his return from Wales. 

June 26. In the evening stopped in our rambles at Lady 
Huntingdon's Chapel,, where heard a sensible preacher on 
the doctrine of love. 

June 27. Walked out with Mr. Sewall and Mr. Oxnard 
through Stapleton to the late Lord Bottetourt's seat and 
pleasure-grounds, now the Duchess Dowager of Beaufort's ; 
the house is situated on the brow of a hill, standing on a 
lofty foundation of stone ; its front, as approached from 
Stapleton, has each angle covered with six square towers, 
and between an open piazza below ; the whole house crown- 
ed with battlements. It is built of white stone, and pos- 
sesses an extensive view of the pleasure-grounds, and a finely 
improved country all before it. After tea took a second 
ramble to Bedminster Churchyard. 

June 29. Attended worship at the Mayor's Chapel ; met 
Mr. Boutineau, with whom we took a few rounds in the Col- 
lege Green amidst genteel company, and received invitations 

14 



158 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

to tea. In the afternoon, meeting Mr. Barnes and F. Waldo, 
we joined them going to St. Nicholas's Church ; a Dr. Buck 
preached an excellent sermon, and delivered it with great 
propriety and fervency. 

TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., LONDON. 

Queen's Square, Bristol, July 8, 1777. 
Dear Sir : 

After a long and expensive ramble to no good purpose, I 
am at length in this city, proposing to make it my abode 
for a month or longer ; to what place I shall retreat from 
hence I am undetermined, though somewhere to the west, as 
that is a quarter of great plenty and of the least expense. 
The report of the cheapness of living in Yorkshire is a mere 
fable, especially in or near the neighborhood of the manufac- 
turing towns in the West Riding, or even in Lancashire as 
far as Manchester, which last place nothing but interest or 
superior motives could confine me to. 

The distance I am from London (and probably shall be 
for many months,) will deprive me of hearing or reading the 
current news, but few papers falling into my hands ; and 
coffee-houses, the resort of newsmongers and political dab- 
blers, I rarely enter ; so if you will now and then employ a 
few of your leisure moments to let me hear from you, I shall 
esteem it a favor. 

I am, dear sir, very truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

July 9. Walked five miles out to see Dundry Tower, the 
steeple so called of a church situated on a lofty ridge com- 
manding an extensive prospect over the Severn into Wales, 
far into the St. George's Channel, into Somerset, Glouces- 
tershire, and far beyond. Strolling along the quay, met a 
Swansea coaster, and partly agreed to make a tour through 
the southern and western parts of Wales. 

July 11. Went to the theatre ; saw the "West Indian " and 
the "Misers," the former entertaining ; Major O'Flaherty well 
taken off by Mr. Moody, the best imitation of an Irishman I 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. , 159 

ever saw ; the latter an unnatural plot, and but illy perform- 
ed to a very full house. 

July 17. Set off on horseback for Bath ; fine roads, sun 
excessively hot and scorching, almost choked by the dust 
which arose in clouds by the carriages and horses we overtook 
in great numbers. Alighted at the Shakspeare Inn, High- 
street ; visited the public places of resort ; rambled about 
the city, dined, and at four o'clock departed by the way of 
Keynsham for Bristol. 

July 18. Drank tea with Mr. Francis Waldo at his lodg- 
ings ; afterwards adjourned to the theatre, where I was 
agreeably entertained. 

July 23. This day news arrived of the capture of the Fooc, 
man-of-war, of twenty-eight guns, by some American pri- 
vateers. Unless more spirited measures take place, or others 
are employed to plan or execute, I know not whether this 
island itself will not be surrounded by ships from the west- 
ern continent and their allies. Two ships, just sailed from 
Bristol, were taken in St. George's Channel ; and several to 
and from Ireland, etc., within a month. The nation is in a 
lethargy, and for aught that appears is like to continue so ; 
treachery, venality, or inability, will, it is to be feared, destroy 
this devoted people. 

July 24. News via Liverpool : Gen. Howe burnt Bruns- 
wick about 20th June, broke up his camp, going to abandon 
the Jerseys, to strengthen his lines at Kingsbridge, appre- 
hending an attack there ; and with the remainder of his 
forces and the ships to go up the North River on a secret ex- 
pedition. The Boston fleet of eighteen privateers sailed with 
orders to keep together for twenty-five days, and afterwards 
each to repair to their several destinations. The Newfound- 
land fishery disturbed, the ships on Grand Bank scattered ; 
some sunk, the whole almost dispersed and ruined. London 
and the trading parts, even those attached to the Govern- 
ment, I am told, begin to grow very uneasy and talk loud. 
If it should continue, a change in Administration must suc- 
ceed. Alas ! to what a low ebb is this nation fallen, that 
lately gave law to the potent states of France and Spain, in 



160 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

a contest confessedly unequal on the side of its own sub- 
jects ; but such is the state of human affairs. Goliath was 
humbled and slain by little David, and those Provinces that 
lately sued to Great Britain for protection and aid, now 
boldly defy and enter the lists against that very power. 

July 26. Took passage to Swansea xyith Capt. Hawkins, 
and at eleven o'clock, with two pilot-boats ahead, cast off 
from the quay. In four hours discharged our pilot-boat in 
King Road, five miles from Bristol ; we soon grounded, and 
there remained all night. The return of the ebb served, in- 
stead of a favorable wind, to carry us to our port of destina- 
tion. Indeed, it was, as the sailors say, right in our teeth ; 
the strength, however, of the current is such as to overpower a 
light gale, in which case vessels coming in or going out drop 
anchor during the ebb or flood, when unfavorable. This 
night proved dark and misty ; just after midnight we drop- 
ped anchor ; daylight discovered the master's judgment in 
selecting his ground to anchor on. We arrived without harm 
to a stony beach called the Ferry-Place, below the quay about 
a quarter of a mile. 

Sivansea, July 29. Attended a court-baron, instituted for 
determining pecuniary cases under forty shillings, and is 
equivalent to our Justice's Court in New England ; it is, I 
presume, appendant to every manor, the lords of which have 
the nominating, if not the appointing, of the officers to this 
trust. The manor in which this town lies is called Gower, 
and belongs to the Duke of Beaufort, who chooses its chief 
magistrate, called Portreve; the present is Mr. Gabriel Powel, 
Justice also in the former court, and whom I saw on the 
bench. This town is the first in Glamorganshire for com- 
merce and manufactures, twelve hundred vessels being yearly 
employed; its staples are coals, copper-plates, and white iron. 
The ore for the former, and blocks for the latter, are brought 
hither in their own vessels from Cornwall, and when manu- 
factured, transported to Bristol chiefly. The town consists 
of twenty-five hundred inhabitants, who occupy about three 
hundred and fifty houses, few elegant or large ; a market- 
house, erected at Cromwell's expense, the inhabitants being 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 161 

in his interest. Here are several Episcopal and Dissenting 
churches, a synagogue, and Quaker meeting-house. Ser- 
vice is said and sermons preached in the Welsh tongue once 
in three weeks. A custom prevails here of raising the earth 
on the summit of the grave in the form and size of the coffin 
beneath, and sticking in herbs and flowers, and, during the 
season of roses, of spreading the leaves thereon. The coun- 
try inhabitants almost universally use the Welsh as their 
mother-tongue, scarcely understanding a word of the Eng- 
lish, which they call Sasnic, meaning Saxon, to distinguish 
it from the true British, which was on the invasion narrowed 
to the small districts of Wales and Cornwall ; English in 
this principality is taught as the dead languages by the 
grammar. In a place called Gower the inhabitants speak 
no Welsh, but beyond they talk in no other tongue ; in the 
midland counties scarce anything but Welsh is spoken or 
known. Pembrokeshire was settled, some ages since, by 
Yorkshire and west country folks, whose descendants re- 
tain their native tongue, and are ignorant of the country 
speech. In general, the inhabitants affect to speak of Eng- 
land as a foreign country, and as we on the west of the At- 
lantic, saying from England, to England, etc. The Welsh 
appear a hardy race, short, clumsy, and strongly built. The 
extensive white iron or tin-plate works, and copper, also, 
which abound, I fancy is prejudicial to the products of the 
earth; and the appearance of the land justifies the opinion. 
I am told the land is good, but I confess it has a dreary look ; 
the lofty hills are, however, enlivened, though bare of trees, 
(their natural vesture,) by the great number of small huts, so 
prettily and agreeably scattered over the sides of the hills, 
being painted white, with the fences or stone walls encom- 
passing them, or forming the courts or yards. 

July 30. A stranger sent in his name, Calvert, desiring an 
introduction to me ; he had married a niece of the late Mr. 
Gvvynn, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, who was one of the 
co-heiresses, and he wished to inquire about his late uncle's 
affairs ; but I could give only an imperfect account ; when I 
last saw his uncle he had a wife and effects, supposed about 
14 * 



162 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

two thousand pounds. I took breakfast with Mr. Calvert, 
and one of the company was the Dr. Collins to whom I had 
a letter from Mr. Barnes ; but he not choosing to make him- 
self known, we took no notice of each other, though we were 
both apprised of our meeting together, which I thought on 
his part an impropriety. My companion's capricious resolu- 
tion to return back, and the ill reception of my letter, were 
considerations that prevailed with me to accompany him, and 
we immediately set about preparing for a departure ; and 
thus was my design of remaining some months in this prin- 
cipality frustrated by an injudicious connection which might 
have been foreseen and avoided. It is with no little reluc- 
tance I abandon my only intention of coming to these parts, 
which was to possess myself of the knowledge of the pecu- 
liar manners, customs, and language of these genuine de- 
scendants of the old Celts, that had long been the object of 
my wishes, and I greatly regret my facility in giving it up. 
But an unseasonable, ill-placed compliance, or perhaps want 
of proper resolution to undertake a solitary residence in a 
district of an unknown people, of a strange language, might 
have cooperated to produce my determination. In passing 
the road I reckoned one hundred and thirty chimneys in the 
great copper-works lying on the banks of the Swansea, a 
river just above the town. Dined and took leave, and bent 
my course to the ferry ; was soon wafted over the river Tawy 
in a boat guided by a rope, the rapidity of the tide rendering 
such an expedient necessary; having landed, we jumped into 
a carriage standing on the shore ready to receive us. 

The next town is Neath, which consists of about one hun- 
dred and fifty houses, and is situated on the Bristol Channel, 
or about the embouchure of the Severn ; it is a place of some 
trade in the same way as the former, though not to so great 
an extent. 

On the farther side of the river are the remains of a mag- 
nificent monastery, but under what denomination its former 
occupants were, I did not learn, having only a passing view. 
Just beyond the town, on the same side of the river, are the 
seat and grounds of Sir Herbert Mackworth, under excellent 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 163 

improvement. Standing in the court of the inn, I heard one 
tell another that the lad then passing by was the male de- 
scendant of him whose name was Pendrell, by whom King 
Charles II. was concealed on the oak at Boscobel, (now 
standing,) after Cromwell's defeat, of the Scotch army at 
Worcester. 

Neath^ July 31. Left the inn at eight o'clock, and alighted 
at the Bear Inn, Cowbridge, twelve miles ; a long, straggling 
town, of better built houses, and to appearance larger than 
Neath, though of less trade. Changed horses and started for 
Cardiff, where we alighted in two hours, distance twelve 
miles. It is a small but neat and clean town, the shire town 
of the county of Glamorgan ; streets well paved ; has one 
Episcopal Church, houses modern, but none lofty or much 
decorated. The inhabitants here, and farther on towards 
Monmouth, begin to Anglicize and lose the Welsh language 
and manners, few or none speaking it in town, though the 
mountaineers, all over the principality, make it their mother 
tongue, and politically, and I think prudently, continue it. 
The villages and towns that have the least connection with 
trade, retain their original tongue in greater use. North 
Wales, more particularly than South, has less mixture of for- 
eigners. After an hour's rest, we set off in a post-chaise for 
the mountain country, to obtain a sight of a singular bridge 
over the river TaafFe, consisting of only one arch, spread- 
ing one hundred and forty-two feet, in height thirty-four 
above the water. This surprising undertaking was planned, 
and, after two disappointments, executed by a mason named 
Thomas Edwards, still living : it is said to be the greatest 
work of the kind in the world, exceeding the Rialto at Ven- 
ice. Visitors say it would do honor to Roman magnificence 
in the most flourishing times of the Empire. Asking a ques- 
tion of a passenger, he replied, '■'■Dim Saesneg-" which was as 
much as if he had said, " / do not understand English." 

Cardiff^ August 1. After breakfast walked through the 
town to the castle, remarkable for its being the prison of the 
unfortunate Robert, eldest son of the first William, and Duke 
of Normandy, who was not only deprived of his right to that 



164 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

dukedom and the kingdom of England, the government of 
which last was his by right of primogeniture, but, being 
made a prisoner by his younger brother Henry," he languish- 
ed here twenty-six years, till death kindly released him, at 
once, from captivity and suffering. This castle is almost en- 
tire, and seems less ruined than any of the ancient ones not 
in possession of the crown. The dungeon where the prince 
was kept is shown ; it lies under the outward tower, the de- 
scent by six steps, secured by two doors, one within another ; 
the apartment about eighteen feet high and the same in di- 
ameter; of an octagon form, having an arched roof, admit- 
ting no light but through a wicket just under the covering, 
jutting out from the body of the tower. The extent of the 
castle within the walls is about twelve acres. 

From hence repaired to the inn, and took carriage for 
Newport. After my departure learned that a daughter of 
the late Parson Pigot, of Marblehead, was an inhabitant of 
this place. Arrived at Newport at twelve, and remained an 
hour, rambling through the town, which, like Cowbridge, is 
long and straggling, and the houses of a mean appearance. 
On the bank of the river Uske, near the foot of the bridge on 
the town side, are the remains of an old castle in ruins, re- 
duced by Cromwell to its present state, as, I am told, were 
all the castles in this country, where they abounded, scarce a 
town being without one ; passed by several in sight of the 
road, and all in a like decaying condition. At the inn we 
dined, and loitered till five o'clock, waiting for the flow of 
the tide, and then, with a fair but faint breeze, entered the 
boat and loosed from the Welsh shore. In forty minutes ar- 
rived at the Gloucester side, and waited no longer than while 
the horses were putting to ; and taking our seats, were con- 
veyed across a pleasant, extensive country, filled with herds 
of black cattle and large flocks of sheep, bordered by a cir- 
cular range of finely improved hills. In an hour arrived at 
the city end of Durdham Down, and soon alighted at our 
late lodgings in Queen's Square, having finished a tour of 
two hundred miles in seven days. From henceforth deter- 
mined to consult the genius, turn, and temper of my future 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 165 

companions ; my late fellow-traveller's want of curiosity, 
etc., etc., renders him a very unfit companion, and frustrates 
every purpose of rambling. 

Bristol, August 8. Attended worship at St. Stephen's ; 
Dean Tucker preached. Returned home via Hot Wells. 



TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH, DEVON. 

Bristol, August 4, 1777. 
Dear Sir : 

The dark aspect of affairs in America on the side of Gov- 
ernment renders it likely that England, or some foreign 
country, will, for many months to come, be the residence 
of the wretched American fugitives. Our headquarter folks 
have, I learn, lowered their topsails, and talk in a less posi- 
tive strain ; fear and apprehensions seem to have succeeded 
assurance. 

Of late I made a short ramble into Wales, and over many 
eminences, to which the hills in Devon are not to be com- 
pared ; the middling and poor inhabitants are not unlike our 
Indians, though inferior in size ; their manners as coarse and 
language as uncouth, differing from the English as much as 
their customs, many of which are peculiar. The outside of 
all their houses and walls is kept whitewashed, at a dis- 
tance giving them a lively and pleasant look ; the inside is 
filthy enough. The women, like our Indian squaws, carry 
their young slung round them, some before and some be- 
hind their backs. Cardiff, the chief town of the county, is 
near the bank of the river Taaffe, and in a pleasant vale of 
fine improvements, surrounded by high mountains, cultivated 
to their summits. Within two miles, and in sight, is the 
town of LlandafF, having a cathedral of a respectable ap- 
pearance : the churches in this country, however, make but 
an indifferent appearance, being of diminutive size. About 
twelve miles from this toward the mountains, my curiosity 
carried me to view a most astonishing piece of architecture 
in a bridge, called bont-y-pridd, consisting of one arch, in 
span one hundred and forty-two feet, and rising from the 



166 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

spring of the arch thirty-four, planned and executed by a 
common mason, who is now employed at a similar work in 
Radnor. This natural architect is also to execute another 
bridge at Swansea, over the river Tawy, the middle arch of 
it to rise one hundred and eight feet above the surface of the 
water at full sea, and of a width sufficient for a large vessel 
to pass through. Yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

August 7. Attended worship at the College ; Bishop New- 
ton, well known in the learned world by his writings, con- 
firmed about nine score persons, chiefly females, from four- 
teen to thirty years of age. 

August 10. Attended worship at Mayor's Chapel, Baron 
Hotham, the nisi prius Judge, present, accompanied by the 
Mayor, in their formalities. 

TO KEY. ISAAC SMITH, DEVON. 

Bristol, August 15, 1777. 
Dear Sir : 

A late rumor from the south that had exhilarated our sink- 
ing spirits, is now momently abating of its credibility, though 
it was told in a way and with circumstances that induced a 
universal belief. The report I refer to you must undoubtedly 
have heard. My faith in a speedy return to our native 
country is, as it ever has been, faint; those, on the contrary, 
with whom it is my fate to bear company, have cherished, 
and still please themselves with the fond, delusive hope that 
the disturbances on the western continent will subside upon 
the least success of the British arms, and hourly expect to 
hear of Gen. Burgoyne's arrival at Albany ; from whence 
they date the end of troubles there. But supposing that to 
take place, I foresee a great deal to be done before the fierce 
spirits of the people in America will settle down into a submis- 
sion to a power they dread, and have been taught to detest. 
Besides, I cannot help thinking France will interpose, and 
prevent a future connection between Great Britain and the 
Colonies ; perhaps, not thinking it prudent to declare whilst 
the recovery of them remains doubtful. This you may call 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 167 

a suggestion of fear, and it may be the effect of a sickly, dis- 
turbed imagination ; I presume, however, I am not a singu- 
lar instance. With real regard, yours, etc. 

S. CURWEN. 

August 19. By the ship Lady Gage from New York, 
July 15th, advices that General Heister is returning to Eu- 
rope ; that the troops are withdrawn from the Jerseys ; that 
Lord Howe and General Howe are embarking, destination 
unknown ; discouraging news for Government, and is a con- 
vincing proof I should think that an insurrection excited by 
an enthusiastic ardor for liberty, rightly or wrongly under- 
stood, and in such distant Provinces, is not to be easily quelled. 
A contemptuous idea of the weakness of the Colonies, and 
their inability to withstand the power of this opulent State, is 
the chief if not the only source of the present discouraging 
condition of their affairs in North America. 

August 20. Advices from New York are that General 
Prescott was surprised and carried off at midnight from a 
detached house a little beyond his line, by a few daring sail- 
ors who landed on the island. This was done in revenge for 
General Prescott's setting a price on General Arnold's head, 
dead or alive, to be brought in. General Pigot succeeds the 
former in command. That Lord Howe and General Howe 
were soon to leave New York with seventeen thousand 
troops, destination not known, supposed northward, to act in 
concert with General St. Leger, who is coming down through 
the Mohawk country. That General Burgoyne has taken 
Ticonderoga, and a confirmation of the capture of the Fox 
man-of-war by the Hancock and Boston privateers. 'T is 
also stated that the Massachusetts people begin to be dis- 
contented, and accuse each other of folly in engaging in an 
opposition that seems to promise such bitter fruits. Should 
Great Britain be able to establish a line of communication 
between Canada and New York, and thereby separate the 
Northern Colonies from the Southern, woe to the promoters 
and abetters of these disputes, and good-by to Congressional 
authority. The Indians will naturally fall into the heaviest 
scale, especially when enforced by such powerful motives as 



168 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Great Britain can offer. Should that event take place, God 
preserve ray poor country from the desolating judgments — 
from a merciless savage war. 

August 26. Intending for a long walk, took my course 
for Rownhara Passage, proceeding over Leighdown through 
a Mrs. Gordon's grounds, late Lady Trenchard, which she 
exchanged for a husband. This house sheltered King Charles 
II. after his defeat and flight from Worcester ; he was in the 
kitchen when his pursuers entered, in the character of a scul- 
lion, and the cook-maid struck him with a ladle, calling him 
a careless dog, and ordering him to wind up the jack, which 
he obeyed, getting on a stool for the purpose. The house is 
a large, noble, old-fashioned structure. In the court-yard is a 
piece of water filled with carp. Dined at King's Weston, and 
returned to lodgings much fatigued. King's Weston is an 
estate belonging to Lord Clifford, family name Southwell. 
At the inn I hear that Lord and Lady Clifford had that morn- 
ing set off for France, on account of the ill health of the latter, 
leaving a dead child in the house to be buried when con- 
venient. 

August 28. The annual Gloucestershire feast this day ; 
the procession, headed by the Duke of Beaufort, walked from 
Concert Hall to the inn. 

Sept. 2. Had a passing view of the half-yearly fair held 
in St. James's Churchyard. Saw exposed in huts, sheds, 
etc., along the street called Horse-Fair, cloths, linen, hose, 
and every article in the grocery and bauble way; besides 
the buyers, there were numerous flocks of such characters as 
compose our Cambridge Common gentry on Commencement 
Days, and for the like purposes, festivity and fuddling. 

Sept. 3. Evening at Judge Sewall's, who introduced me 
toDean Tucker, a famous political divine and anti-colonist, 
who judges them a burden to Great Britain, and presses Ad- 
ministration to cast them off. 

Sept. 6. Had an hour's conversation with a stranger on 
'Change; a rare event, people in England being greatly in- 
disposed to join with unknown persons. The Bristolians 
are, however, remarkable for early inquiries into the character 
of all strangers, from commercial motives, and soon fasten 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 169 

on all worth making a property of, if practicable ; all others, 
of how great estimation soever, are, in general, neglected. 
This city is remarkable for sharp dealings ; there runs a pro- 
verb, " one Jew is equal to two Genoese^ one Bristolian to two 
Jews." 

Sept. 7. At the college, the cathedral so called. Dr. Stone- 
house preached ; he was a practitioner of medicine, and has 
now turned his attention to spiritual maladies. His dis- 
course serious and sensible, and his delivery with becoming 
energy, very unlike the insipid coldness prevalent among the 
preferment-seeking, amusement-hunting, "macaroni parsons," 
who, to the shame and dishonor of this age and nation, con- 
stitute the bulk of those of the established clergy that possess 
valuable livings. 

In the afternoon, walked to a sti'eet adjoining King's 
Square to attend John Wesley's preachment ; he being seated 
on a decent scaffold, addressed about two thousand people, 
consisting of the middle and lower ranks. The preacher's 
language was plain and intelligible, without descending to 
vulgarisms. 

Sept. 14. In the afternoon I attended once more John 
Wesley, having the heavens for his canopy; he began with 
an extempore prayer, followed by a hymn of his own com- 
posing, and adapted to the subject of his discourse. He 
wears his own gray hair, or a wig so very like that my eye 
could not distinguish. He is not a graceful speaker, his 
voice being weak and harsh ; he is attended by great num- 
bers of the middling and lower classes ; is said to have hu- 
manized the almost savage colliers of Kingswood, who, be- 
fore his time, were almost as fierce and unmanageable as the 
wild beasts, of the wilderness. He wears an Oxford master's 
gown ; his attention seemingly not directed to manner and 
behavior, — not rude, but negligent, dress cleanly, not neat. 
He is always visiting the numerous societies of his own form- 
ing in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland ; though near 
eighty years old, he reads without spectacles the smallest 
print. He rises at four, preaches every day at five, and once 
besides; an uncommon instance of physical ability. 

15 



170 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Sept. 26. It is reported that General Howe is gone to 
Boston, and if he makes a successful landing, and is power- 
ful enough to penetrate into the country, wo betide my poor 
native land. , A few days will undeceive us with regard to 
the object of Gen. Howe's expedition. 

Sept. 29. Mr. Timmins and Judge Sewall visited me. 
Evening at Mr. Barnes's, where took tea with thirteen Amer- 
icans. The Temple Church is so denominated from its hav- 
ing belonged to the Knights Templars, which powerful and 
dangerous body of men was dissolved about A D. 1270. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

Bristol, October 6, 1777. 
Dear Sir : 

It is my intention to pass a fortnight with you, and could 
wish, if convenient, to meet you at Exeter. I long expected 
the pleasure of seeing you here, but now despair of it, having 
seen Mr. John Waldo, who informs me you have laid aside 
all thoughts of a journey northward. The number of our 
country folks here is eighteen, viz. : Mr. Boutineau and lady, 
Mr. Benjamin Faneuil and lady, Judge Sewall and lady, Mr. 
Barnes and lady and niece, Mr. Fenton and daughter and 
son, Mr. Fr. Waldo, Mr. Timmins, Colonel Hatch's two 
daughters at school, and myself. 

Gov. Hutchinson, in a letter to Judge Sewall, writes that 
the news respecting the defeat of the Americans at Saratoga 
is corroborated by other circumstances concurring to estab- 
lish the credibility of the liieutenant's letter ; the remainder 
of the story stands on its own bottom, or in other words is 
doubtful ; it is, however, believed by some that two hundred 
of the Royal Army fell in the attack, and of the Americans fif- 
teen hundred are killed, wounded, and prisoners, with artillery 
and stores. He also writes that he has it from high author- 
ity, that Lord George Germaine believes Lord Howe gone 
to Chesapeake Bay, but the King to the northward ; my 
belief is that this is a stroke of Court policy, to keep down 
discontent in the minds of people who begin to grow im- 
patient. Your real friend, 

S. CURWEN. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 171 

Oct. 4. Before the Lexington privateer was taken, she had 
burnt, sunk, and destroyed fifty-two British vessels, on the 
coast of Great Britain and Ireland, as appears by her log- 
book, as well as by papers and letters found on board. 

Oct. 21. Rose at six o'clock, and went a coursing with 
two grayhounds and a spaniel for hares. Started one, and 
left her in a turnip-field ; returned about two o'clock, not 
greatly fatigued, after a ramble of fifteen miles over hedge 
fences, ditches, etc. 

Oct. 28. Had a sight of the Pennsylvania test, which 
manifests a confidence in their ability to support their lately 
acquired authority. It is a triumph to a few ; misery to 
many, I fear. 

Oct. 31. Departed at four o'clock from Bristol, in the 
diligence, with two other passengers, brothers ; the one a par- 
son of cheerful humor, and of the learned tribe ; the other, 
late from the East Indies with a few thousand pounds, which 
he was early retiring to enjoy whilst he had a relish for the 
pleasures of sense. Breakfasted at White Heart Cross, dined 
at Bridgewater, and at half past eight alighted at Exeter, 
eighty-two miles, in sixteen hours. 

Exeter, November 1. Departed on Jiorseback, attended by 
a servant with my portmanteau, and in three hours alighted 
at my friend Isaac Smith's lodgings at Sidmouth. 

Sidmouth, Nov. 7. Rode to Beer, a fishing town, contain- 
ing perhaps a hundred houses, mud walls, and thatched roofs ; 
the inhabitants in looks and dress resembling Marblehead 
folks. Stopped on our return at a farm called Baldash ; met 
here Mr. Cornish, dissenting minister of Collyton, who is a 
cordial advocate for America and its independence; he is for 
retiring to woods and caves to avoid religious persecution. 

Nov. 10. Started on horseback for Axminster, through 
Kilmington ; from an eminence on the road is a delightful 
prospect of the vale through which the Axe flows in a ser- 
pentine direction, under fine improvement, bordered by hills 
of a moderate height ; pastures and fields to the summit, from 
which sav/ Seaton at the mouth of the river, supposed to 
have been a Roman port, no trace of which remains. In 



172 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

this road lies a stately old house, called Ashe, wherein John 
Churchill, the great Duke of Marlborough, was born ; a vil- 
lage of no account called Musbury, and at the extremity Ax- 
minster, where we dined at the Green Dragon, and were 
introduced to the carpet manufactory, named from the town ; 
invented and still carried on by an ingenious and obliging 
person of the dissenting profession. Here is also wrought, 
besides his own, of a peculiar construction, Turkey carpet, so 
very like in figure, color, and thickness, as not to be distin- 
guished from the genuine article. They are wrought in per- 
pendicular looms, by females, whose fingers move with a 
velocity beyond the power of the eye to follow. The shute, 
consisting of as many colors as the shades of the figures, is 
placed aloft on a bar, through rings running thereon, each 
ring passing a distinct color through. There was making a 
beautiful one of thirty-six feet square, (amounting to ninety- 
six pounds,) for the Countess of Salisbury. The knowledge 
of this manufacture he obtained thus : an old ragged fellow, 
in military garb, called and said he had wrought all over 
Europe in the Turkey carpet way ; he was engaged imme- 
diately, and complete success has resulted, not only in this 
kind but also in the Wilton and Axminster. 

We passed a dirty road in the dark, and alighted at Thorn- 
combe. The late vicar was father of Commodore Samuel 
Hood, who lately commanded a squadron at Boston. Supped 
and passed the night here, next morning left early; at eleven 
o'clock arrived at Lyme Regis, lying in south channel in an 
exposed situation : it is a place of little trade, supplying the 
neighborhood with coals imported here from the north. It is 
also a watering-place, being accommodated with a few bath- 
ing-machines, a terrace facing the beach, and near adjoining 
for walking ; a long room for tea and cards, of southern as- 
pect, and a neat assembly-room. About twelve hundred 
inhabitants, (chiefly Dissenters,) and about two hundred 
houses. Here is now standing, the George Inn, wherein the 
Duke of Monmouth first slept on his invasion. For the 
security of vessels coming in here, there is a circular pier of 
several hundred running feet, built by the ever-famous Sir 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 173 

John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham, and from him denominated 
the Cob. The next stage, Culliford, at Mr. John Carsluck's 
seat of Wishcombe, where we were kindly entertained and 
lodged. This place is called from its situation ; " wish," in 
Devonshire dialect means weary ^ and " combe " vale^ — which 
well describes it. 

Nov. 12. At meridian took leave and departed through 
the country to Slade, seat of Mr. Lee, one of Mr. Smith's 
parishioners ; called and notified him of our intention to 
dine, and passed forward to Brunscombe, consisting of five 
clusters of small huts of mud walls and thatched roofs. This 
parish, formerly an estate of the Brunscombe family, was 
given to a monastery at Caen, in Normandy, and remained 
appended to it till the downfall of popery in England. Dined 
and took tea with Mr. Lee, and resuming our saddles, took 
leave, and crossing Salcombe hills, alighted at our lodgings, 
after a circuitous ramble of forty-seven miles in four days ; 
the roads for the greater part more dirty, stony, and disagree- 
able than are generally to be passed in our own country. 

Sidmouth, Nov. 17. Took an airing over Peak hill, — even- 
ing in a large company at Mr. William Carsluck's ; Codding- 
ton house his seat ; took tea and a generous and elegant 
supper. 

Nov. 18. Rode out, passing a farm called Thorn, from a 
thorn-bush or tree standing on a road near by, said to be 
more than three hundred years old. 

Nov. 19. Rode to St. Mary, Ottery, about eight miles 
out ; it is a parish, a hundred, and a manor ; the lords, Sir 
George Young and Sir John Duntze. It is situated in a vale, 
the river Otter running through the midst, from which the 
town takes its name. The centre is modern, built of brick, 
covered with pantile, a fire some years ago having destroyed 
the old buildings ; it has a market, an Episcopal church in 
the cathedral style of building, by tradition erected in 1060, 
a few years before the Norman invasion ; it has a look of 
antiquity, and is marked with decay within and without. 
Nov. 20. At ten o'clock departed from Ottery, and 
15 * 



174 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

at one alighted in Exeter at my intended lodgings in Fore- 
street. 

Exeter, Nov. 22. Walked abroad, had a conversation with 
young Reed, just returned from Salem, having been carried 
in there in a prize ; from whom I learnt there was no busi- 
ness scarcely but privateering, which he represents as surpris- 
ingly successful. 

By the papers, I learn the King in his speech takes notice 
of " the obstinacy of his rebellious subjects in America^'' and 
promises himself " all needful assistance from his faithful 
Commons.^' It will be well if additional supplies, and an 
increase of foreign troops, do not prove a source of intoler- 
able evil. Would to God an expedient could be devised to 
terminate this unnatural quarrel, consistent with the honor of 
both parties ; but this I fear is a vain wish. The Dutch, 
from a sordid thirst of gain ; the French, from their dread of 
the rising power of Great Britain, united with the Colonies ; 
and Spain, from an attachment to the Court of Versailles, are 
too deeply concerned to permit a re-union. Lord Chatham, 
on motion for an address in the King's speech, says, " With- 
out an immediate restoration of tranquillity, this nation is 
ruined and undone. What has been the conduct of minis- 
ters ? Have they endeavored to conciliate the affection and 
obedience of their ancient brethren ? They have gone to 
Germany, sought the alliance of every pitiful, paltry prince, 
to cut the throats of their loyal, brave, and injured brethren 
in America. They have entered into mercenary treaties with 
those human butchers for the purchase and sale of human 
blood. But, my Lords, this is not all; they have let the sav- 
ages of America loose upon their innocent and unoffending 
brethren, upon the aged, weak, and defenceless ; on old men, 
women, and children ; upon babes at the breast, to be cut, 
mangled, sacrificed, burnt, roasted ; nay, to be eaten. These 
are the allies Great Britain now has ; carnage, desolation 
and destruction, wherever her arms are carried, is her new 
adopted mode of making war. Our • ministers have made 
alliances at German shambles, and with the barbarians of 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 175 

America, with merciless torturers of their species. Whom 
they will next apply to, I cannot tell." Such is Lord Chat- 
ham's fire, such his oratory, such his indignation against min- 
isterial measures. 

Dec. 14. This day General Burgoyne's mortifying capit- 
ulation arrived in town. Nothing could be more disgraceful 
and humiliating, unless a submission to the victor's power 
without terms. The loss of the military chest, estimated at 
seventy-five thousand pounds ; the finest train of artillery ever 
sent out of this kingdom before ; all the boasted acquisitions 
of the year's campaign gone at a blow, and Canada on the 
point of joining the grand American alliance. 

In the House of Commons, on the 12th inst., after Lord 
Barrington's report of army estimates. Col. Barr^ rose and 
called on Lord George Germaine to inform the house whether 
the report of the surrender of General Burgoyne with his 
army and artillery was true or false ; which Lord George did 
in a short narrative, and said intelligence had been received 
of the capture by the way of Quebec, which struck the House 
with astonishment ; and after a short pause Col. Barre rose, 
and with an averted look, said : " Great God ! who can re- 
frain from rage and indignation when the planner of so much 
misery relates with the utmost composure, the horrid tale of 
a British army destroyed ? We all know the General's brav- 
ery and skill ; he did not surrender whilst there was a possi- 
bility of defence ; but while justice demands a just eulogium, 
what must we say of the man who reduced so gallant an 
officer to so sad an alternative without the smallest advan- 
tage to his country ? " 

Dec. 18. From a correspondent at the west of the town, 
I learn that the language about the Court is nowise lowered 
by the last news from America ; " delenda est Carthago." 
The old politicians, neither biassed by hatred to Americans, 
nor interested in the destruction of the Colonies, shake their 
heads at this language. 

Dec. 25, Christmas. Service at Cathedral. No shops 
opened entirely, nor business publicly or generally carried 
on : — though the day is otherwise negligently enough ob- 



176 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

served, nor indeed can more be expected, considering the low 
ebb of religion here. 

Soon after the surrender of Burgoyne was announced by 
Lord George Germaine in Parliament, an adjournment took 
place till after the holidays, whereupon Sir George Young, 
Mr. Baring, the Exeter member, and Mr. Barr^, hurried down, 
and it was suspected that this foreboded a new Parliament, 
a new ministry, new measures, and that the most active op- 
position is coming into play ; a few days will undeceive the 
public, however. On confirmation of the American news, 
Manchester offered to raise a thousand men at their own ex- 
pense, to be ready for service in America in two months, and 
was followed soon after by Liverpool. It is said there are to 
be proposals for raising two thousand men out of each parish 
through the kingdom ; that the American Secretary will re- 
sign, and Lord Hillsborough succeed him. 

Dec. 31. The lenity shown to General Burgoyne and his 
army is allowed on all hands to do more honor to America, 
than the laurels, reaped by the Howes, can bring to this dis- 
tracted country. God knows what is for the best, but I fear 
our perpetual banishment from America is written in the 
book of fate ; nothing but the hopes of once more revisiting 
my native soil, enjoying my old friends within my own little 
domain, has hitherto supported my drooping courage ; but 
that prop taken away leaves me in a condition too distressing 
to think of; however, amidst the increasing evils of old age 
I have this consolation, that, mortifying as my lot is, severe 
as my sufferings may be, their continuance cannot be lasting. 

Accompanied by Mr. Smith, drank tea with Mr. Towgood, 
and they passed the evening and supped with me ; and thus 
ends the old year. Mr. Pope observes : 

" With added years, if life bring nothing new, 
But like a sieve let every blessing through, 
Some joys still lost, as each vain year runs o'er, 
And all we gain some sad reflection more ; 
Is that a birthday ? 't is, alas i too clear, 
'Tis but the funeral of the former year." 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. I77 



CHAPTER VIII. 

A. D. 1778. Letter on American Affairs. Enumeration of Troops to be 
sent to America. Lord Abington's Motion. Passage from Dr. Rob- 
ertson. Ceremony of Installing a Bishop. "Writers in the Spectator, 
Amount of Captures by American Privateers. Rev. Sir Henry Tre- 
lawney. Political Letters. Report of a Treaty between France and the 
United States. War between England and France. 

TO DR. DAUBENY, LONDON. 

Exeter, Jan. 3, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

By my friend Col. Browne's letter, received yesterday, I 
am informed of Col. Frye's arrival at Halifax, and of your 
quitting Salem and arrival in London. Pray inform me 
whether his and your departure from your settled abode arose 
from the requirements of the new established governments ; 
if there be any in our province of sufficient authority to re- 
strain the lower classes from their insolence and outrageous 
behavior, who, when the bands of society are unhappily 
loosened and the laws are forced into silence, do not neglect 
to avail themselves of those times to run riot against peace, 
order and security, the most valuable blessings of social civil 
life ; — whether there be any civil government established in 
our province — what it is — who the administrators — who 
are our Salem magistrates — its condition with respect to 
order, trade, religion — the state of our society and the situa- 
tion of our friends ? I could fill a sheet with questions, but, 
loth to tax your good nature too heavily, forbear. With con- 
gratulations on your safe arrival in a land of plenty, and free- 
dom from persecution, either on the score of religion or poli- 
tics, I remain your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 



178 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Jan. 6. Evening at Mr. N.'s, with Mrs. N. and Mrs. Trem- 
let, sisters, of excellent understanding, great reading and re- 
fined taste. 

Jan. 12. Bishop Ross installed arch-deacon in the chapter 
house, as on Saturday he was prebend, and on the following 
days this week is to be successively canon, treasurer, and 
bishop ; each ceremony being ushered, accompanied, or 
announced by tolling the great bell, and afterwards the 
chimes play. On the demise of a bishop, the King in effect 
chooses under the fallacious compliment of recommendation 
to the chapter, consisting of dean, prebends, canons, etc., with 
a conge d'elire, or liberty to choose for that purpose ; the 
choice falls of course on the person recommended, and is so 
understood. He is then presented, kisses the King's hand on 
his preferment, and is installed by proxy in the distant see. 
He is personally enthroned when his new lordship pleases ; 
how long it may be before we are to be favored with his 
personal presence, it is not said. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

Exeter, Jan. 17, 1778. 
Dear Sir : * 

The account of Gen. Burgoyne's surrender is confirmed, 
and what think you of the Congress now ? Of American 
independence ? Of laying the Colonies at the ministers' feet ? 
Of Lord S.'s boast of passing through the continent from one 
end to the other with five thousand British troops ; and with 
a handful of men keeping that extensive continent in subjec- 
tion ? Of the invincibility of the said troops ? Of the raw, 
undisciplined, beggarly rabble of the northern colonies ? Of 
the humiliating surrender of a British General, five thousand 
troops, seven thousand small arms, and thirty-six pieces of 
brass artillery, to the aforesaid rabble ? What think you of 
the pompous proclamation of the said General ? Of the fig- 
ure he is now making in the streets of Boston, compared to 
his late parading there, accompanied by his vainly fancied 
invincible cohorts, now, alas ! rendered as harmless and inof- 
fensive animals as you and I ? Of the condition General 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 179 

Howe is now or soon may be in, should the combined army 
of Washington and Gates, numerous as it may be, perhaps 
exceeding his own in the proportion of two to one, elated 
with success, inflamed with an enthusiastic ardor, invest 
Philadelphia, defended by an army almost worn out by in- 
cessant labor, having, as the papers say, the shovel and fire- 
lock always in their hands, and greatly weakened by losses ? 
What think you of the twenty thousand men voted in Par- 
liament a few days since, in addition to the army now in 
America ? Where are they to be raised ? Is not Russia on 
the verge of a war with the Turks ? Have not the two great 
potentates of Germany refused to suffer their country to be 
further drained of its inhabitants? Is not Denmark too fee- 
ble, thinly peopled, and jealous of its potent neighbors, to 
furnish men? Have we any alliance with Sweden ? Is not 
Holland in the same predicament with the former, and does 
not its commercial system forbid lending us aid ? Is not 
Portugal too poor, dependent, and unable if disposed ? Is 
not Spain unwilling and unable, and too much inclined to 
follow French politics ? Nay, does not the impolicy of hir- 
ing troops from her, if willing and able, appear too glaring 
even in the most desperate case ? And is not France too in- 
sidious and insincere, too much interested both in regard to 
politics and commerce, to apply to her for assistance ; nay, 
would it not be too dangerous, considering her former state 
and connections there ? Have not the Switzers too strong a 
sense of liberty themselves to engage against a cause wherein' 
civil liberty is pretended to be invaded ? 

Pray what resources, then, has Great Britain, without al- 
lies able or willing to afford the needed help ? Can her own 
country furnish the requisite numbers ? Can the manufac- 
turers spare, without essential injury to its commerce, a sup- 
ply from thence ? Does she abound in laborers ? Are there 
not, rather, complaints that men of the lower classes are 
wanting ? Have not the recruiting parties found great dif- 
ficulty in raising men ? And is it not well known that busi- 
ness goes on slowly and heavily at this day ? Would not 
an Act of Parliament to press men for the American service, 



180 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

(and without it, it cannot be done,) raise disturbances and 
insurrections think you ? Would not raising new regiments 
from among the Catholics of Ireland disaffect the bulk of the 
nation? In this sad dilemma, which way can Administra- 
tion turn to extricate themselves ? How can they escape out 
of this labyrinth wherein they are intricated ? What mea- 
sures can be adopted consistent with the honor and dignity 
of this late mighty empire — alas, how fallen! — that gave 
law but a few years ago to two of the most powerful, 
politic, and wealthy States in Europe, and thereby peace to 
almost all the world ? Common sense and prudence, in the 
case of a private person, suggests, that when convinced his 
measures of conduct are inadequate and incompetent to an- 
swer his wishes and designs, to retrace his mistaken steps, 
pursue other measures, and undo what has been done wrong ; 
for it most surely is less dishonorable to correct errors than 
pertinaciously continue in a track confessedly wrong and 
fatal. Does not the American Secretary, Lord George Ger- 
maine, seem to be of this mind, when he announced General 
Burgoyne's surrender in the House, declaring, at the same 
time, the impracticability of carrying on this war any longer ? 
Has this an appearance of a pacific intention, or does it seem 
designed, as has been suggested, to lull the opposition? 
(which, however, I don't consider but as the effect of party 
misrepresentation ; for you know party views everything in 
false lights.) Think you this an individual opinion, uncom- 
municated to his brethren in administration, and unknown in 
the privy council, delivered without their privity, connivance 
or consent? Is it probable he will long hold a post in which 
he must take so active a part as his duty requires, in promot- 
ing measures, in his judgment ineffectual, and which cannot 
long be supported ? If a difference in the higher departments 
begins, and a derangement in Administration should ta ke 
place, where will it end ? I shall tremble for the consequences 
at this period, as it will weaken Government when most 
it stands in need of support from a general concurrence. Did 
not Lord North seem to yield to the idea of conciliatory mea- 
sures ? The designs of a court are deep and hidden ; who, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 181 

by searching, can find them out, till Time, the great revealer 
of secret things, exjjoses to view the wisdom or folly, the 
policy or impolicy of cabinet councils ? The language of the 
Court, the papers say, is, as it ever has been, " delenda est 
Carthago " ; if this be not slander, woe betide my poor country. 
I confess I feel too strongly the amor patrice not to wish it 
may be slander ; its enemies will never, I hope, exult over its 
ruins ; but its inhabitants be timely brought to a just sense 
and sight of their real interest and security, which in my 
view consists only in a close connection with this country. 

Vigorous measures are talked of there ; but in Parliament 
the language held by the ministers seems mild, leaning tow- 
ard an adjustment of matters otherwise than by the ultima 
ratio regum ; the out-door talk is just the reverse ; unhappy 
the state of society and government that renders such con- 
duct in any regard expedient. Should Government seriously 
wish and intend to settle this quarrel amicably, what can be 
the first step ? The present situation of Administration puts 
me in mind of a story relative to Sir Christopher Wren, who 
went yearly to visit King's College Chapel, Cambridge, re- 
markable for its roof; on being asked whether he could con- 
struct such another, replied, " Tell me where to place the first 
stone, and I will engage to execute it." Are not our state 
architects as much perplexed and embarrassed where to lay 
the first foundation-stone whereon to erect a temple to peace 
and concord ? Could they ever devise a plan of accommo- 
dation dictated by wisdom itself short of American indepen- 
dence ? Would the United States condescend to enter into 
a treaty with this kingdom after so many proofs of their 
ability to defeat their designs and resist their most vigorous 
efforts, and from whom they have received so many supposed 
indignities, severities, and oppressions ? I quit my theme 
and lay down my pen to read the news just brought in; but 
before I record it, let me premise that not a syllable of it 
finds credit with me; it is as follows: "General Vaughan 
who burnt Esopus and made such cruel havoc up Hudson 
River, is defeated by General Putnam ; he and his army pris- 
oners ; that the former has got between General Clinton 

16 



182 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

and New York with a separate army ; that General Wash- 
ington had forced General Howe's lines, destroyed and taken 
seven thousand men." Should this, or half of it be true, I 
warrant (without gift of prophecy) the game is up. I forgot 
to add, Arnold is not killed, only wounded in the leg, and 
with General Green gone forward to Quebec ; the American 
works on the Delaware not yet forced, so that the two broth- 
ers Howe can as yet have communication together till that 
event takes place. General Howe's situation must be very 
disagreeable, not to say dangerous. I will add a few lines 
to fill the sheet. Newspapers are crowded with articles of 
the offers of towns and counties to enable his Majesty's Gov- 
ernment to carry on the war against America, which by 
some means is now become to be considered as less a minis- 
terial affair than some time ago ; should the proposed num- 
bers, however, be taken out of the manufactories, I dare 
engage trade will sensibly feel it. Would to God, that mod- 
erate and just views of the real interests of both countries 
might possess the minds of those who direct the public meas- 
ures here and there. That peace may again take place, and 
trade and agriculture and commerce be established on a last- 
ing basis, is the most ardent wish of your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Jan. 26. I am told the officers lately arrived from America, 
generally declare the conquest of it is a vain expectation, 
even with a very great additional force. Notwithstanding 
this, the ardor of the nation for subduing what is called the 
'''■American Rebellion,''^ seems to spread like a flame from 
north to south ; the new troops talked of, as proposed to 
be raised immediately, are as follows: Battalion of High- 
landers under Lord M'LeodjlOOO; Manchester Volunteers, 
1000 ; Duke of Argyle's Highlanders, 2000 ; Duke of Athol's 
Highlanders, 1000 ; Colon'el Gordon's do., 1000 ; Duke of 
Hamilton's Regiment of Arran, 1000; Colonel Dakymple's 
Loyal Lowlanders, 1000; Midland Highlanders, 1000; 
Sutherland's and Mackay's Highlanders, 1000 ; Earl of Sea- 
forth's Highlanders, 1000 ; Dutch brigades to be augmented. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 183 

5000 ; Irish Roman Catholics, 5000 ; ten English battalions, 
10,000 : — 31,000. 

Lord Abington's motion to be considered in Parliament, 
against the constitutionality of persons, corporations, towns, 
cities, or counties to raise men, and arm and equip them ; 
and if he defends his position, it will put a stop to the loy- 
alty of Manchester, Liverpool, Norfolk County, and some 
Scotch lords, who have made offers of money and men for 
carrying on the American war. Lord Abington's motion 
was for summoning the judges to attend the house, that 
their opinions on this matter may be known ; he considered 
it not only repugnant to the principles of the Constitution, 
but expressly against the letter of the law. The attempt to 
raise men in Warwickshire and Norfolk has failed, from the 
opposition of the gentry and others. 

Dr. Robertson, in his history of Scotland, says : " When 
men have been accustomed to break through the common 
boundaries of subjects, and their minds are influenced with 
the passions which civil war inspires, it is mere pedantry and 
ignorance to measure their conduct by those rules which can 
be applied only when Government is in a state of order and 
tranquillity. A nation, when obliged to employ such ex- 
traordinary efforts in defence of its liberties, avails itself of 
every thing to promote its great end, and the necessity of the 
case and importance of the object justify a departure from 
the common and established forms of the Constitution." 
This is precisely what a sensible American, whose mind is 
strongly impressed with the right of resistance to the author- 
ity and arms of the mother-country, would offer in defence 
of the many hardships and violences imposed on his fellow- 
countrymen at the present momentous crisis. 

Jan. 30. This being in Church of England language, 
'•'■King Charles's martyrdom^' it is farcically observed as a fast 
day ; churches open and service suitable to the solemn occa- 
sion read. To complete the absurdity here, the pulpit of the 
cathedral was covered with black cloth ; the tipstaves, sword 
and mace, carried before the mayor in the same grim garb. 



184 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., LONDON. 

Exeter, Jan. 30, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

General Burgoyne's defeat will, I think, prove a prelude to 
a succession of fatal events. The rapid increase of military 
skill and courage that enthusiasm produces, and the great 
numbers of European commanders and engineers of experi- 
ence now incorporated amongst the Americans, are consid- 
erations that extinguish my expectation of the success of the 
following campaign, even should Great Britain send over in 
season the number of troops ordered by Parliament, (and 
which do not amount to what all who have lately arrived 
from America agree to be necessary to insure success, or 
rather, in any good degree, render it probable.) May those 
evils my gloomy mind forebodes, exist only in imagination ; 
but I must confess I see, perhaps through a false vista, the 
expedition already ended in the disgrace of this powerful and 
wealthy kingdom, and in the ruin of that once singularly 
happy, but now, alas ! deluded, wretched America ; for, dis- 
connected from this country, wretched it must necessarily be, 
if anarchy and the most grievous oppressions and taxes can 
make a people so. How weak, inconsistent, and dangerous 
is human conduct, when guided by lawless ambition, or any 
false or wrong motives I Into what dreadful evils are com- 
munities often plunged by hearkening to the declamations 
of pretended patriots, of crafty, selfish, unprincipled dema- 
gogues of this and many other countries, history furnishes 
us a present mortifying proof and example. 

You may console yourself in the late disgrace of the Brit- 
ish arms, with the hope that it may revive the ardor and 
bravery hitherto so peculiarly characteristic of British troops, 
but similar causes do not always produce similar effects. At 
the time you refer to, Rome was in the meridian of her glory, 
war the profession of her citizens ; her inhabitants, through 
all her ranks, were at that period actuated by the amor pa- 
trice^ a principle publicly derided in this age. Do not think 
me a cynic, when I say, I fear this nation has sunk into too 
selfish, degenerate, luxurious a sloth, to rise into such manly. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 185 

noble exertions as her critical situation seems to demand : 
for which this people have in times past been famed, as the 
disaster you mention formerly produced among the Romans, 
and as heretofore within my own memory, has been the case 
with this very people. But the breast of every Roman was 
warmed with the amor patricB at that period, and with this 
principle he could brave dangers, and even death, to bring 
honor to his country. When riches poured in upon them 
from all quarters of the world, when manners degenerated, 
and selfish regards succeeded to the love of country ; when 
luxurious tables and effeminacy among the higher ranks took 
the place of frugal meals, and manly fortitude, with the sense 
of honor sunk into venality and court dependence, they then 
became abject, desponding, cowardly, and were exposed to 
every invader, and instead of bravely defending, abandoned 
even their lands and wealth to be possessed by their cour- 
ageous army ; and such will always be the condition of every 
people in similar periods of its state. But away with politics. 

You ask when I intend to come to London. To take a 
long, expensive journey that road, I have not at present in 
contemplation. Abstract Col. Browne, and a few acquaint- 
ances, and London, in the present state of my finances, 
has not charms strong enough to attract me thither. With 
no relish for the amusements and dissipations of that una- 
voidably chargeable residence, I should ill exchange my frugal 
and comfortable board, in a decent family, at eight shillings, 
for twenty, and a long train of et ceteras, amounting to thirty- 
five more under strictest economy. It would add much to 
my enjoyment, to have the company of my friend, Col. Browne, 
with or without a friend or two ; but to encourage his taking 
so long and tedious a journey, I dare not, having nothing to 
offer him by way of equivalent for his trouble, ignorant as I 
am of his taste and views of living : however, should a plan 
of frugality, inclination to ramble, or curiosity, push you out 
of the metropolis, as the season grows milder, and chance or 
design direct your steps to this plentiful and cheap quarter, 
take the following short imperfect sketch. 

Exeter, for its numbers, is somewhat less than Boston ; in 

16* 



186 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

buildings as unlike as the wrinkled age of fourscore differs 
from the healthy, florid complexion of thirty. To your or any 
eye familiar to modern structures, this place will appear as 
uncouth as a female tricked out in a ruff and fardingale, or in 
the Court dress of old Queen Bess. I am led to this com- 
parison, from having often heard that the houses, especially 
in Fore-street, are of her age, and indeed they no more re- 
semble the modern than the dress of that day does the pres- 
ent. The streets are narrow, ill-paved, and (I wonder why 
not to a proverb) dirty. There is a row of buildings in the 
form of the Crescent at Bath, in the so-called modern style ; 
but it is crowded in a corner, out of sight, built on land be- 
longing to the Duke of Bedford, and goes by the name of his 
title, on the site of a late noble palace, wherein Henrietta, the 
youngest daughter of Charles I., was born during his troubles. 
Within the walls are three walks for taking the air ; on the 
north, a circular one, lying back of the castle, encompassed 
with trees, through which, on the outer side, over a vale filled 
with houses and improved fields, are cut vistas ; much fre- 
quented here is also the church-yard, or the inclosure within 
walls and gates ; round St. Peter's, the cathedral, another 
hard gravel-walk called the Friars, commanding a fine field 
view, besides many others without the city. And for in-door 
amusements, a theatre, concerts, a coffee-house, called Moll's, 
and a hotel, both in the church-yard, where the London pa- 
pers are brought four days in the week. 

Having filled my sheet, I conclude abruptly, like Hudibras 
breaking off in the middle. 

Very sincerely yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

Feb. 3. This was the day appointed for the enthroniza- 
tion or installation of Bishop Ross in the Episcopal seat. 
The ceremony was performed by Archdeacon Hull, of Barn- 
stable, the proxy, and one of the canons of St. Peter's. The 
chapter, consisting of the dean, canons, prebendaries, &c., 
&c., a set of well-fed priests, all of the largest dimensions, 
(except the first, who was in London,) walked in procession 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 187 

to the cathedral, preceded by the officers properly habited, and 
whose coming was announced by the sound of the great bell. 
Having arrived into the church, the chapter proceeded to the 
throne, where they all sat down ; after being seated a short 
space, the proxy arose, and advancing to the front, read an 
oration in praise of the late bishop ; concluding with an en- 
comium on the present one, in which he declared he took real^ 
actual, and corporal possession of the Episcopal chair ; these 
words being the same he used, and I fancy an essential part 
of the form. The seat, or throne, as it is called, is of a sin- 
gular construction, and the most magnificent of any ; it is a 
square of sixteen feet, lined with crimson silk, the cushions 
velvet of the same color, edged with a broad gold fringe ; the 
canopy thirty feet high, supported by four wrought posts, 
carved up to the ceiling in Gothic open work, decreasing till 
it ends in pinnacles ; opposite stands the pulpit ; both at the 
upper end of the choir. 

Henry Grove, a Dissenting minister of Taunton, well 
known by his writings among those of the same profession, 
wrote Nos. 588, 601, 626, and 635, in the 8th volume of the 
" Spectator " ; and Mr. Parr, lately deceased in this city of 
Exeter, in his eighty-eighth year, wrote those signed " A. B." 
in the 6th and 7th volumes, and some others, the signature of 
which his son, Surgeon Parr, told me he had forgotten. 

Feb. 10. Received a letter from William Cabot, London, 
informing me that by a letter from Nathan Goodale, Salem, 
all friends are well. 

Feb. 14. Received a friendly letter from Mr. Timmins. 
His wife at Boston, seeing no end to the disturbances, is 
going to pluck up stakes, and remove with flocks, herds, 
and children. 

Lord Camden said the other day in the House of Peers, 
on the Duke of Richmond's motion to consider the state of 
the nation, with liberty to refer to such papers as were before 
them, " The origin of the mistake of our ministers in com- 
mencing the American war was this : they ignorantly sup- 
posed the Americans to be cowards, and foolishly imagined 
the French to be idiots." 



188 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Mr. Woodbridge's answer to the Duke of Richmond (on the 
9th inst.) was, that by Lloyd's Coffee- House books, the num- 
ber of British vessels taken from May, 1776, to the present 
time, by American privateers, was seven hundred and thirty- 
three, containing upwards of thirteen thousand men. That 
the aggregate value of the ships and cargoes, after deducting 
one hundred and seventy-four retaken and restored, amount- 
ed to X4,823,000 sterling. The number of American pri- 
vateers one hundred and seventy-three. That American 
products had greatly advanced in price ; tobacco from seven- 
pence to two-and-tenpence, — pitch, from eight shillings to 
thirty-six ; tar, turpentine, oil, and pig-iron, in the same pro- 
portion. 

Feb. 15. At the George Dissenting meeting-house. Sir 
Henry Trelawney, of fifteen hundred a year, an Oxford-bred 
scholar, preached from " O, worship the Lord in the beauty of 
holiness.^'' Taking a religious turn, he had fallen into Meth- 
odism, and set out a flaming preacher of their notions, to 
Episcopal orders superadding Dissentingadmonition of the 
lowest kind. He has charge of a small flock in the neigh- 
borhood of his own estate ; his natural good sense has cooled 
his first heat, and he now addresses with fervor, but candor 
and affection, a crowded assembly. Just as he entered, be- 
fore service began, an elderly lady in the oew adjoining to 
the one I sat in, sunk down in a fainting fit, and breathed 
her last without a groan or struggle. 

TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., LONDON. 

Exeter, Feb. 17, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

I would fain persuade myself my good friend does not en- 
tertain unfavorable sentiments of the rectitude of ray princi- 
ples, whatever doubts he may have of the justness of my 
opinion respecting the appearance of things at this juncture, 
and the probable issue of this destructive quarrel between 
Great Britain and the colonies. I presume it needs no proof 
to convince him of my leaving America under a strong con- 
viction of the almost physical impossibility of her waging a 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 189 

successful war with this powerful state, and therefore of the 
unjustifiableness, imprudence, impolicy, and even madness of 
the undertaking. Nothing short of such a state of mind 
could absolve me from the imputation of the extremest folly 
to abandon my country, friends, and estate, and all my hopes 
in this world, at my time of life, with but little money, few 
connections here, and no expectations. 

The pernicious system of politics adopted by France, ever 
since she raised her views to universal empire under Louis 
XIV., has justly brought on her the detested character of 
unfaithful, false, crafty, and perfidious; so that French faith 
now, like Punic of old, you are sensible, goes current in 
Europe for the four preceding characters ; nor has the late 
behavior of the Court of Versailles failed to verify the dis- 
graceful imputation : even at the very time the ministers of 
France, upon some spirited remonstrances from our Court, 
were pouring forth a profusion of seemingly fair promises 
and specious declarations of amity into the lap of Lord 
Stormont, ordering a few vessels with, and a few without 
cargoes, to be restored to their right owners, and even shut- 
ting up their ports, on paper, against American privateers ; 
even at that very time, they were not only conniving at, but 
carrying on a contraband trade to the revolted colonies. In 
the port of Nantz there lay, ready to sail for America, three 
or four large ships, laden with all kinds of merchandise, can- 
non, and artillery stores, and waiting for a fair wind. Is it 
not a well-known fact that the most successful depredations 
on the trade of this island, that have ever taken place in 
Europe or the West Indies, are now making on the latter by 
French pirates, under congressional colors, and that prizes 
are daily selling at open market, and all pretences to re- 
claim denied ; now and then, indeed, to save appearances, 
in imitation of ministers on this side the water, a few fee- 
ble, unregarded prohibitions are issued, but none executed to 
effect. 

Spain, whose political and commercial interests so natu- 
rally ally it to England, that it is even a proverb, " Paz con 



190 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Ing-laterra y guerra con todo el mundo^^ ^ celebrated from time 
immemorial for honor, true magnanimity, and fidelity to its 
promises, has ever since the Bourbon idiot that now fills its 
throne, . . . and ever since the days of his pusillanimous 
father, adopted French manners, frivolity, levity, dress, poli- 
tics, and faith, to the expulsion of true Castilian gravity, 
dress, honor, and regard to the real interest of the country. 
Witness the shuffling and chicanery of the Court of Madrid 
just before the ill-judged declaration of the last war; review 
the authentic accounts of the friendly reception of the Amer- 
ican and French privateers, and the open trade of the colo- 
nies at Bilboa, Cadiz, and all the ports of Spain during these 
troubles, though royal orders, edicts, and mandates, tagged 
with an " Y el Rey^'' have been successively transmitted 
down to the seaports. So well are the Court purposes under- 
stood, that within four weeks, two or three English prizes 
were publicly sold in one of the southern ports, in open day, 
and the privateers, refreshed and furnished with all needed 
stores and unmolested, suffered to depart, laden with the sub- 
stance and property of the subjects of England. King Sol- 
omon says, " Where the word of a king is, there is power " ; 
this he said from his own experience. Who in his wits can 
believe that the Spaniards, or that abject Turkey-race of 
pirates inhabiting on the opposite shore, durst have acted 
thus in defiance of their sovereign, if they had not well 
known the artful distinction between his secret and revealed 
will ? With regard to the article of Nantz and a Spanish 
port, they are facts that stand, for aught I know, on the same 
footing of credibility with the other articles of foreign intelli- 
gence that pass uncontradicted ; and if these be facts, and 
facts are of a stubborn nature, and bend not to our wishes, 
but carry conviction, what must we not infer, loth as we 
may be ? The natural inference is, that both these two 
Courts do invariably adhere to the line of conduct marked 
out by them from the commencement of this trouble, to dis- 
tress the Government as much as it is in their power, and to 
steal away our trade. The officers that throughout the win- 
1 " Peace with England, if war with the rest of the world." 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 191 

ter arrived at the western ports, passing through this city in 
their journey to London, have one and all declared, as some 
reports are, that thirty thousand men, at least, in addition to 
those already in America, are necessary to effectuate the 
reduction of the continent. Probably these persons speak 
the sentiments of the array ; there is not, that I know, reason 
to think them disaffected to the service, nor partial to Amer- 
ica. The foregoing convictions are the grounds of my fears, 
apprehensions, and as you ask me whence I fetch my facts, 
my reply is, from the common spring-head of popular intelli- 
gence. My practice is not to hunt after newspapers, as I 
seldom go to the coffee-houses ; but when they fall by acci- 
dent into my hands, I indiscriminately read all, from the 
" Court Gazette," published by authority, to the " Sherburne 
Mercury." The public papers, I well know, are justly stigma- 
tized vehicles of falsehood and sedition : I rarely attend to po- 
litical essays or remarks, scarce ever give them even a cursory 
glance ; articles of foreign intelligence I credit as far as they 
are free from self-evident inconsistencies, in respect of time 
and other circumstances. As to country, my principal view 
in the choice has ever been the instructive and entertaining ; 
nor am I unhappy in my few acquaintances here; my chief 
companion is a philosopher of my old friend the Rev. Mr. 
Gilchrist's stamp, and too deeply engaged in moral and phil- 
osophical researches to trouble one with politics, for that is 
rarely a topic of conversation. 

My friend, in reading this tedious letter, will see the high 
value set upon his good opinion, and trust his candor will 
make due allowance for our difference in small matters, while 
in essentials we keep " the faith whole and undejiledr 

Wishing you increasing felicity, I remain 

Your affectionate friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Feb. 25. The Ministry on the 23d inst. received advices 
from Lord Stormont that five ships of the line and three 
frigates had sailed from Brest to Nantz, in order to convey 
eighteen transports to America, laden with all kinds of mili- 



192 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

tary stores, agreeably to the commercial treaty subsisting 
between the French and Americans ; the transports to return 
laden with tobacco from Virginia. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

Exeter, Feb. 25, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

I presume you have seen Lord North's answer to Charles 
James Fox and Mr. Grenville in the house : ^ " ' T w possible, 
nay, too probable, but H is not authenticated by the ambassa- 
dor.^^ This fatal treaty is at length executed ; the coup de 
grace is given to British glory — its sun is set — alas, how 
fallen ! How short-sighted is human wisdom, how weak is 
human power at best ! The roar of the British lion will no 
more be heard ; the French cock may now crow and strut 
undisturbed. 

Americans that lately were humble supplicants to Great 
Britain for aid against a few French troops and Indian sav- 
ages, disturbing her frontier settlements, have dared — what 
have they dared ? — to renounce her authority ; have set her 
power at defiance ; reduced her commerce ; defeated her 
armies ; sunk her national credit, nay, insulted her coasts, 
established their independence in spite of all efforts, and, tell 
it not in Gath, allied itself to her natural, professed, and 
most dangerous enemy. 

******* 

Your friend, S. Curwen. 

Feb. 28. Received Lord North's two acts respecting the 
right of taxation confined to commerce, and appointing com- 
missioners to adjust all matters in dispute. These offers are, 
I fear, too late ; the fatal treaty with France is already 
signed. 

March 2. By the mayor's zeal for a strict observance of 
the fast, an order to prohibit hair-dressers and bakers exer- 
cising their callings was published. In Canon Barlow's ser- 

1 To the inquiry whether it was true that a treaty had been made between 
France and America. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 193 

mon in St. Peter's were these remarkable expressions, which, 
for a dignitary of the Established Church wishing to rise, are 
singularly and dangerously bold. He said, " The war with 
America was unjust ; that they are a religious people and 
may expect a blessing, and we the reverse." 

March 6. The Court hurried away the Andromeda with 
Lord North's conciliatory propositions to the Howes in 
America. 

March 8. Yesterday the French Ambassador declared to 
Lord Weymouth that France had signed a treaty of amity 
and alliance, or of friendship and commerce, with the United 
States of America, who, said he, are in full possession of 
independence, as pronounced by them on the Fourth of July? 
1776, without stipulating any exclusive advantages in favor 
of the French nation, and that the United States have 
reserved to themselves liberty of treating with every nation 
whatever, upon the same footing of especiality and reciproc- 
ity. 

Being in the country, our advices from London are that a 
war with France is dreaded ; there is fear of a general bank- 
ruptcy. It is further said the present Administration is al- 
most universally reprobated — 't is in my mind a doubt 
whether in the dregs of the State less interested ministers can 
be found, though perhaps of more salutary politics ; but the 
problem time only can solve. All men here love money and 
power too ardently to sacrifice either to interest or peace of 
State. 'Tis therefore, I fancy, equally indifferent who are or 
shall be our political cooks ; the pottage, I fear, will be spoil- 
ed. Stocks have fallen to 59 i, which has produced an al- 
most universal panic. 

March 15. Despatches for the Howes passed through this 
city ; contents a secret. 

TO DR. JOHN PRINCE, HALIFAX. 

Exeter, March 15, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

Your favor of the 20th January came to my hands a few 

days since from London ; the advice of your retreat to Hali- 

17 



194 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

fax I received in a letter from my friend Col. Browne. The 
spirit of intolerance among our New England brethren I 
vainly wished might have abated, they having, at the period 
of your departure, nothing to dread from the few individuals 
who could not, toto corde, embrace the political orthodoxy of 
the multitude and their directors. I doubt not that prudence 
would have screened and secured you from the rage and in- 
sult of the lower classes, and rendered life tolerable, if pru- 
dence could have had its due influence ; but, such is the pop- 
ular violence when once it unhappily takes place, and may 
be exercised without restraint and fear of punishment, that 
like an irresistible torrent it bears down all before it ; laws, 
justice, truth, religion, the rights of humanity, civility, con- 
science, are made to rush impetuous down the mighty stream. 

I ardently wish once more to visit my natale solum, and 
impatiently wait for the day of my redemption ; would I 
could say it draweth nigh, but I see no end of the baneful ill- 
omened war, for news has arrived of a declaration by France 
against us. Should it prove true. Great Britain has the 
worst to fear ; even her independency is at stake ; for aught 
I can see, France has drawn down from the interior almost 
all her troops to the English Channel. She has forty-four 
capital ships ready for sea ; not a vessel is allowed to go to 
Newfoundland from France, in order to man the fleet. La 
Motte Piquet, with five capital ships and eighteen large trans- 
ports, sailed about a fortnight since, avowedly bound to 
America, laden with military stores. Spain has forty capital 
ships ready for sea, which are waiting only for the arrival of 
the Vera Cruz fleet ; should, then, these united fleets of more 
than fourscore ships attempt invasion, Great Britain has only 
thirty-seven ships of the line and eleven frigates to oppose 
them. 

Lord North has proposed terms of reconciliation, but noth- 
ing short of independency will go down with the Colonies. 
France will support them ; all thoughts of conquest, of un- 
conditional submission, be assured, are given up ; and I fear 
much more that the Colonies have, contrary to their real in- 
terest and safety, entered into a league offensive and defen- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 195 

sive against the parent State. But it is a melancholy truth, 
which almost every day's experience verifies, that passion and 
resentment often urge men and States to actions and courses 
destructive of their manifest interest and safety, and such will 
America find in the end this alliance will prove, should Great 
Britain in the event become thereby oppressed. I could wish 
(but wishes, alas! are vain,) America had seen her interest in 
another point of light ; far, very far am I from wishing her 
oppressed, or her liberties restrained ; I am fully convinced 
the Colonies will never find any good purpose answered by 
independence. God only knov.'s what is before us, and may 
we be prepared for His allotments with submissive resigna- 
tion. 

I find myself fast declining into the vale of life, therefore 
less able to struggle with the unavoidable evils of this incon- 
stant state than in the days of more strength and vigor. 
Believe me, with real regard, yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO GEORGE RUSSELL, ESQ., BIRMINGHAM. 

Exeter, March 16, 1778. 
Dear Sir: 

The dark and threatening cloud hanging over this island 
calls aloud for a more serious turn of mind than seems to 
characterize the present period ; but how sadly true is the re- 
verse of such a state of mind amongst us at this day ; 
thoughtlessness, levity, frivolous manners, mirth and music, 
seem to have seized and engross the upper ranks ; attention 
to business and a supine disregard to national danger and 
honor, do they not too justly characterize the middle ranks ? 
As for the canaille, they are here, as they ever have been, and 
will be in all states and times, stupidly indifferent and uncon- 
cerned in the midst of impending destruction. If the feat- 
ures of this ill-favored portrait are in your opinion too harsh, 
believe me, it was not drawn by a pencil dipped in gall, nor 
dictated by envious misanthropy ; I am no cynic, nor cursed 
with the spirit of a cloistered monk. The warmest regards 
to the country, which by long residence has become an altera 



196 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

patria, and holds the second place in my affection, few and 
faint as my connections with individuals are, — the most 
earnest wishes of my heart for its safety, and foreboding ap- 
prehensions of its danger and dishonor, occasion the painful 
reflections that cease not hourly to distress my mind. 

When I contemplate the decline and final period of States 
great and powerful, and their causes, which in the history of 
the world are found to be uniformly the same ; that often in 
the midst of thoughtless security and apparent safety they 
are on the brink of ruin, and often suddenly and unexpectedly 
plunged irretrievably therein ; that, as divines say, with re- 
gard to men, and experience confirms its truth in both re- 
spects, " In the midst of life we are in death ; " — I cannot re- 
view the state of Great Britain four years since, and regard 
the present alarming crisis without horror, without trembling. 
Perhaps to a mind by nature formed and turned as mine un- 
happily is, to doubt and despondency, danger may present a 
more ghastly, terrifying aspect than is natural ; be it so, may 
my apprehensions exist only in imagination. I had much 
rather have weakness of judgment, ignorance and error justly 
imputed to me, than that the event should verify my predic- 
tive fears : I had rather be a mistaken man than a true 
prophet. 

France and Spain, to compare great things with small, 
like the heroes in romance, are armed cap-a-pie, at all points, 
ready to sally forth, not like those redoubted sons of Mars and 
Venus, to relieve distress but to cause it. 

Your friend, &c., 

S. CURWEN. 

3Iarch 17. This being assize week, Judges Perryn and 
Hotham were waited on by the sheriff and his officers, about 
two dozen, in livery. Commission sat in Guildhall : — Baron 
Perryn on the bench ; great celerity in despatching business, 
and great interruption, by talking, which the court authorities 
could not remove. 

3Iarch 20. Heard the dreaded sound, war declared against 
France ! It is reported the House of Lords is almost in a 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 197 

tumult, and that they implore the King to drive from his ser- 
vice his ministers, and take Lords Chatham, Camden, and 
Shelburne. 

March 21. The judges left the city, escorted out by the 
sheriff and his train, — trumpets preceding, etc. 



17 * 



198 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



' CHAPTER IX. 

A. D. 1 778. Letter to Judge Sewall on Public Affairs. Remarks on Ability 
of England to sustain a War with France. Public Credit Number of 
Troops sent to America. French Medal in honor of Washington. Com- 
missioners to settle the Dispute with America. Massachusetts Exclusion 
Bill. Excursion to Tiverton. The Author removes his Lodgings from 
Exeter to Sidmouth. Ride to Taunton. Colyton. Woodbury Castle, the 
Remains of a Danish Fort. Ordination of Rev. Isaac Smith at Sidmouth. 
Procession of Lacemakers at Honiton. 

TO JUDGE SEWALL, LONDON. 

Exeter, March 23, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

I was meditating an answer to your favor, when the alarm- 
ing intelligence of the French Court's perfidious dealings, and 
the hourly expectation of war against her, arrived here. The 
denouanetit of the plot, by the French Ambassador's declar- 
ing in form to Lord Weymouth his Court's interference and 
engagement to support the claims of Congress, seems at pres- 
ent to render all speculation on the subject of Great Britain's 
further attempts to reduce her late deluded subjects in Amer- 
ica needless : presuming all thoughts in regard to vigorous 
efforts being to be laid aside, superseded, at least for the pres- 
ent, as the papers inform us no more troops are to be sent 
out. 

These events my fears have been long predictive of ; not 
that I pretend to the spirit of prophecy, or the gift of second 
sight. States, like individuals, are liable to so many sudden 
and unlocked for vicissitudes, disappointments, untoward 
accidents, and evils that neither wisdom can foresee, nor 
power nor prudence prevent ; he whose mind, not however 
to the increase of his enjoyment, leans towards doubts, fears, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 199 

and apprehensions of evils, generally finds more events cor- 
responding to his forebodings than he whose attention is 
turned to the brighter and more pleasing views that hope 
presents. 

The plan Lord North has offered is, it seems to me, 
founded in wisdom and sound policy, as you observe it con- 
tains nearly all that America can reasonably wish for, and as 
it is, thence she can derive more real happiness and safety 
than is fondly and vainly expected from their favorite, long- 
wished for, and perhaps short-lived independence : for should 
Great Britain in this expected war be oppressed, what 
will save some of the Colonies from falling a prey to the in- 
satiable ambition of those powerful crowns united, I know 
not ; it would be well if they should be satisfied with the 
recovery of their late possessions there. The consideration 
of the burden necessary to maintain an independent State 
with dignity has never yet, I presume, during the feverish 
paroxysm of our new legislators and government-modellers, 
been a subject of calculation ; for however fertile their brains 
have been of expedients, they are, I fear, but indifferently 
skilled in political arithmetic. 

Your sentiments on the operation of the two conciliatory 
acts, and answers to objectors, appear to me to be perfectly 
just, and I am happy to say mine are so completely coinci- 
dent, that had I taken as many hours, as probably were em- 
ployed in writing them down, I could not have expressed 
them in terms so clear, concise and satisfactory to myself as 
in the letter I am now considering ; I can therefore subscribe 
to them toto ex animo. The improbability of their accept- 
ance of the terms offered on the other side of the water, and 
of Great Britain's ability to force them into a compliance at 
present, seems to be a matter out of dispute. I am not vain 
enough to wish myself in the King's councils, but I ardently 
wish that imaginary principle of National honor, the King's 
honor, might in this critical and dangerous condition the 
nation seems to be in, be dispensed with and given up to 
infinitely more important considerations, notwithstanding the 
clamors and reproaches to be expected from discontented. 



200 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

interested party men. That the war, should it unfortunately- 
soon commence, to vindicate the King's honor or Nation's, 
must produce disgrace and irreparable losses to the nation, a 
review of the present force Great Britain has, her foreign 
dominions, etc., and the force requisite to secure her right, 
may perhaps convince : nor less so. Great Britain's inability 
at present to force a compliance or convince them by military 
exertions that it is their interest to accept her reasonable 
offers. The lucky minute for such an offer is past, irretriev- 
ably past, and a series of surprising events, owing to ill-con- 
certed plans, interested views, a total disregard to the public 
weal, or, if you please, a certain fatality, has taken place, by 
which Colonies of inestimable value are lost to this country ; 
and I wish the loss may end there. 

The subject that at present most employs and oppresses 
my mind is the critical and dangerous situation that the 
kingdom seems to be in. The tottering condition of na- 
tional credit, the weak state of the navy, the great power of 
the enemy, and the low price of stocks, as low as at the end 
of the last eight years' war, when the nation was almost 
drained of its specie, are the considerations on which I form 
my opinion. Lord North, on presenting the King's rescript 
to the House, uttered what was sufficiently alarming, that the 
reluctance to the present loan arose not so much from the 
prospect of war, as the largeness of the national debt; it is of 
little importance what is the cause, should a national bank- 
ruptcy happen. Should another panic like that of last Satur- 
day again seize the monied men, and continue, and the loan 
be stopped, no one but may foresee the most dreadful con- 
sequences ; should the present loan be completed, a new war 
would require another of equal amount, and the low price of 
stocks continuing, it will be well, if instead of .£450,000 
premium paid more than in 1765, X900,000 would tempt the 
lenders to advance, unless new resources can be found, which 
my ignorance on this point makes me incompetent to judge. 
It is a fact of too much notoriety to be denied, if the con- 
tractors avail themselves of the immense debt by this artful, 
selfish management, the public is supplied at an extravagant, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 201 

unreasonable profit to the lenders, founded, I suppose, on this 
principle, that a sponge, sooner or later, must wipe all out at 
a stroke. It is certain the more Government has occasion 
to borrow, proportionably are its disadvantages in procuring 
supplies ; and unless a new and reformed system of economy 
be adopted, the premiums may not unlikely rise to cent, per 
cent., especially if Mr. Burke's assertions in the House of 
Commons be true, that the contractors made a profit of 57^ 
per cent. Should America be lost to this country, with her 
will be lost a considerable revenue, and what can be sub- 
stituted in its room, financiers can best tell us. Should a 
war with the Bourbon family be attended with any posses- 
sions in the East or West Indies, and thereby other valuable 
branches of the revenue be cut off, I leave you to judge the 
distresses that must unavoidably befall this nation. The 
wealth of all nations is exhaustible. All things are called 
greater or less, stronger or weaker, by comparison. The fleet 
of Great Britain is, in itself considered, great and formidable, 
but when compared to the united fleet of the two Bourbons, 
whether it does in its present condition deserve that char- 
acter, no Englishman will, I presume, affirm ; fifty-one Eng- 
lish line-of-battle ships, no one in his senses will say, are a 
match for eighty-six French and Spanish ships of equal force. 
Confident as we may be of the superiority of our English 
sailors to all other nations in vigor, bravery and skill, we 
should be loth to put our liberties or independency on the 
success of a battle fought under such confessedly disadvan- 
tageous and unequal circumstances; and the ability of Great 
Britain to build and fit for the sea such an additional num- 
ber as will put us on an equal or superior footing, before 
some fatal blow be struck, is a question on which the well- 
being if not existence of this kingdom as an independent 
State may depend. In my view I could wish national as well 
as royal honor might in this case be yielded up to the infi- 
nitely more important consideration of our self-preservation, 
and the gross affronts offered by France pocketed till they can 
be resented with a fair chance of coming off" victors in the 
quarrel. Should a war speedily be entered into before we are 



202 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

better prepared for offence and defence, I can't help fearing 
this late powerful and flourishing empire to be hastening by- 
large strides to irrevocable ruin and indelible disgrace, and 
but too likely to furnish a second instance in its period of a 
once great, rich and powerful State reduced to insignificancy 
in the political scale of Europe, by a dismemberment of some 
of its most valuable appendages, consigned over to its am- 
bitious and more powerful neighbors. I wish posterity may 
not quote Poland and Great Britain as States in the same 
predicament from the future annals of Europe. 

This ill-favored picture probably you may laugh at, but it 
is to be remembered you are supported by hopes, I oppressed 
by fears ; you in the train of Heraclitus, I of the weeping 
philosopher ; but nature has formed us of different materials 
in our original contexture, and on my part habit and accident 
have confirmed the unhappy bias. Whatever your sentiments 
may be of this reverie, dream, rhapsody, or whatever indig- 
nant epithet you may perhaps justly enough think it deserv- 
ing of, I know you will believe me when I tell you they are 
the real sentiments of a mind oppressed with concern for the 
safety, welfare and honor of a country, which by long resid- 
ence has become my altera pafria, and for aught I know will 
continue to be so till I take my flight to the upper regions, 
or time shall cease to be no more with me here. Continue 
to think favorably, and believe me what is my highest ambi- 
tion to be, an honest man, and your affectionate friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Exeter, March 31. Witnessed a long dispute on Ameri- 
can affairs between Mr. Bretland and Mr. Erving. I did not 
interfere ; the opponents neither convinced nor conquered, as 
is usual in such cases. 

April 8. Heard of Rebecca Tyng's marriage to John 
Lowell, of Newburyport. Visited Mr. Tremlet's, on David's 
Hill, with company as follows : the parson of the parish and 
lady, Mr. Pearce, Mrs. Abbot and Miss Hicks ; after tea 
passed half an hour in his delightful garden ; he presented 
me with a beautiful bouquet of a great variety of odorifer- 
ous flowers, now adorning my room. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 203 

April 9. Mr. Erving called me out to walk ; our course 
Cowley Bridge. He seems of a sensible, grave turn, not 
unacquainted with moral science, and exceedingly communi- 
cative. Afterwards rode to Topsham on horseback ; passed 
by an estate kept in the male branch of a family, without 
addition or diminution, ever since the Conquest. 

April 11. With Mr. and Miss Bretland rambled through 
Winiford Lane to Heavitree ; in one of the buttresses of the 
church grows out a yew-tree, three feet high, cut into a fan- 
ciful form, and supposed to receive its nourishment from 
cement moistened by rain and dew. The church has marks 
of age and decay. 

April 13. Mr. Smith, from Sidmouth, breakfasted with 
me ; visited Mr. Morgan confined by illness ; there met Mr. 
Berry of Crediton. The land-tax at four shillings in the 
pound produces two millions ; the real tax on a medium is 
two shillings nearly, which, being a tenth part of income, 
makes that to be twenty millions. Should an expensive war 
or some unforeseen accident throw the nation into a convul- 
sion, and discourage lending and lessen supplies, it would, of 
course, reduce the value of lands, perhaps, to tvt^enty-five 
years' purchase ; their real value then would be five hun- 
dred millions. Court value of the kingdom supposed to be 
eighteen millions, for the following reasons, viz. : fifteen mil- 
lions were brought into the mint to be new coined on procla- 
mation ; the remainder, coin of George II. and III., full 
weight, still continuing current, amount to three millions. 
Amount of fabrics, plate, etc., etc., on a modest computation, 
is worth one hundred millions ; making in all six hundred 
millions. 

A nation possessing more than twice as much as it owes, 
need not fear bankruptcy, — England's debt being one hun- 
dred and sixty millions. I pretend not to judge what would 
be the full issue of a shock to national credit, much less dare 
I determine ; but, I confess, I fear it would be followed by 
dreadful convulsions, and produce cruel ravages and carnage 
among the lower classes, who, being deprived of daily sub- 
sistence for want of daily employ, on stoppage of trade and 



204 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

manufactures, would not contentedly sit down and suffer 
themselves with their wives and little ones to perish with 
hunger ; nor even those whose large incomes, derived from 
national funds, being now stopped, are reduced to a level 
with the most indigent, and whose wants being supplied 
from their charity, are now their equal fellow-sufferers. 

List of men by last returns : for America, 19,381 ; prisoners, 
5,336 ; sick, 4,639 ; loss in navy, 4,314 ; army in New- York, 
Philadelphia, Rhode Island and Canada, 36,731 ; to recruit 
army to what it was last year, 11,885 ; captures made by 
Americans amount to ,£2,600,000. 

April 20. On horseback to Spencecomb, the seat of Mr. 
Rowe, near Crediton, in company with Mr. and Miss Bret- 
land ; passed an agreeable day, with a numerous company ; 
this is a week of festivity following Easter Sunday — hospit- 
ably lodged and entertained ; our host is of the rank called 
gentlemen-farmers, or landholders in fee of estates from £100 
to .£800 sterling per annum. A medal has lately been struck 
at Paris, by order of Monsieur Voltaire, in honor of General 
Washington ; on one side is the bust of the General, with 
this inscription : " G. Washington, Esq., Commander of the 
Continental Army in America." The reverse is decorated 
with the emblems of war, and the following : " Washington 
reunit par une rare assemblage les talens du Guerrier et les 
vertus du Sage." 

April 26. Commissioners appointed to go over to America 
to settle the dispute, if practicable, Earl of Carlisle, Lord 
Howe, Sir Wm. Plowe, Wm. Eden, Esq., and Governor 
Johnston, sailed from Spithead on the 22d, and I fear it will 
prove a re infectd business. 

TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, LONDON. 

Exeter, April 26, 1778. 
Dear Sir: 

By our common friend, Mr. Smith, just returned by way 

of Bristol, I am informed Mrs. Browne is with you ; 't is with 

great sincerity I congratulate her and you on her safe arrival ; 

would to God it had been under more favorable circum- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 205 

stances ; such as they are, your religion and philosophy, I 
am well assured, can improve them to the best purposes. I 
presume London will not long continue the place of your 
abode ; if you have no predilection for a particular quarter, 
and are deliberating what course to take, nothing shall be 
wanting on my part to afford you all the information respect- 
ing these parts you may wish to have. It would yield me 
inexpressible satisfaction, could Exeter, or its neighborhood, 
be your choice ; I can assure you, that, for cheapness, plenty, 
and good provisions, especially fish, poultry, game, and gar- 
den-stuff, no place excels and few equal it. Late conversa- 
tions with Col. Erving, from whom I had intimations of your 
desire to him last January to be informed relative to these 
parts, (who owns himself to blame in not attending to it,) 
induce the foregoing. If your views are fixed, I wish the 
pleasure of your abode may be equal to your highest wishes. 
A line from my worthy friend will never fail to be a most 
acceptable present. With the warmest wishes for your felic- 
ity, I am 

Yours and Mrs Browne's affectionate friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO JOHN TIMMINS, ESQ., LONDON. 

Exeter, April 30, 1778. 
Dear Sir: 

I have this day received a letter from Eben. West, now on 
board the Medway, lying in the Downs, who is in want of 
necessaries. He was with me in my business at the com- 
mencement of the troubles in New England, and by consent, 
left me to go to sea in his father's employ, till taken by the 
Enterprise frigate, on the 20th of last July, carried to Gibral- 
tar, and from thence brought to England, where he has been 
ever since. I think it but charity to advance a little for him, 
and therefore wish you to convey two guineas to him for 
me. I presume Mr. William Cabot would not refuse an 
old neighbor's son some small assistance, nor Col. Browne a 
young suffering townsman, to whom, as occasion may serve, 
you will do me a favor by mentioning his name, with the sit- 
18 



206 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

uation he is in ; nor would it be improper if they could pro- 
cure a small supply of money from his countrymen, who 
must have a fellow-feeling of others' sufferings, at the same 
time themselves experiencing the evil of banishment from 
their country and the means of subsistence. 

I am your obliged friend and humble servant, 

S. CURWEN. 

May 1. Walked with Col. Erving to Mr. John Tremlet's 
house, David's Hill, (the supposed site of an old Roman tem- 
ple,) to see a lamp having Diana's emblem, a crescent ; the 
points crowned each with a ball, and thought to belong to a 
temple of the goddess there, judged of more than two thou- 
sand years' antiquity. This being May-day, the milkmaids 
walk in procession, with their pyramid of plate, as is usual on 
this day. 

May 5. Mr. Smith brought me a Massachusetts Exclusion 
Bill, whereby all who left New England after 19th April, 
1775, are forever banished, and their estates forfeited. 

May 7. Took tea at Col. Erving's, with Mr. Smith ; 
agreed on a journey to Tiverton with them. 

May 8. At nine o'clock set out in a post-chaise with Mr. 
and Mrs. Erving, and my friend Mr. Smith, on horseback, to 
Tiverton. Alighted at Three Tuns Inn, at twelve o'clock, 
passing on a pleasant turnpike fourteen miles. This town is 
supported by serge-making, for which it was formerly noted, 
now believed to be on the decline. Some houses in good 
taste ; it has two Dissenting congregations and one Anabap- 
tist ; the Episcopal Church is a venerable pile, low, outside 
greatly ornamented ; tower lofty ; the inside contains many 
funereal monuments, some of ancient date. 

Here is a noted school, called Blandell's, famous in the 
West ; sends off yearly some students to Oxford and Cam- 
bridge ; its numbers about fourscore. Besides, here is an 
academy for Dissenters' children, kept by a Mr. Kiddle, the 
minister, and one for young ladies. Has abundance of 
shops. Adjoining the church is a lofty situation, command- 
ing an extensive and pleasing view of the neighboring vale. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 207 

through which the Exe runs, bounded by a long range of 
moderately high hills, improved and inclosed to summit ; re- 
turned home by eight o'clock. 

May 9. Rode with Mr. Cross to Star Cross, at the mouth 
of the river Exe, opposite Exmouth. 

May 11. Removed my lodgings to Sidmouth, and for 
which purpose I mounted my Rosinante, and departed in 
company with Mr. Smith, after dinner, having ordered the 
messenger on with my baggage. Taking the road through 
Topsham, we staged it at Ebford, the seat of the widow Lee, 
a wealthy, hospitable, Dissenting lady ; here we alighted and 
took tea. The family having withdrawn to the house in the 
neighborhood, called the " Hermitage," to divert themselves 
at a game of quadrille, that our coming interrupted, notwith- 
standing repeated desires to the contrary. The family con- 
sists of an elderly lady, daughter and her husband, a Mr. 
Yates, and the young Parson Jarvis, the Dissenting ministers 
of Limestone. From thence we departed, passing through 
Woodbury, Otterton, and across Peak Hill, and arrived at 
my former lodgings at Robert Follet's. 

Sidmouth, May 13. Rode to Wishcombe in company 
with William Carsluck and two young ladies named Upjohn, 
of Exeter ; dined, drank tea, and returned before eight o'clock. 
May 21. Rode to Taunton ; passing through Honiton 
and Blackdown, I arrived at Whiteheart, visited Mr. Wel- 
man and Parson Ward ; drank tea with the latter. Evening 
and supper at Mr. Toulmin's, the Baptist minister ; lodged 
at the inn. Next morning departed for Poundisford, the seat 
of a Mr. Hawker, a Dissenting worthy gentleman of fortune ; 
passed an agreeable day, and lodged there. 

Poundisford, May 23. At eleven o'clock, in company with 
a Mr. Hawker we departed, shaping our course for Chard, 
where we arrived at two o'clock. Between our two stages, 
on a lofty ridge, are the remains of an old castle, in the coun- 
try dialect Laratch; supposed, but I know not for what 
reason, to have been of Roman construction. Chard, where 
we arrived about two o'clock, is a manufacturing town ; its 
lifeless appearance but too justly confirms the general opinion 



208 ~ JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

that its trade is in a consumptive state ; its buildings hardly 
above the village style, one wide, commodious street, paved, 
having several reputable houses in it. One Episcopal 
church, and two or three Dissenting meeting-houses; the 
manufacturing towns generally abound in people of the latter 
persuasion. At five o'clock left, and passing over an excel- 
lent turnpike road, entered Axminster, distant seven miles, 
without alighting, and proceeded on to Seaton, where we in 
vain attempted to find the remains, if any, of the old Roman 
port said to have been established here, but it was hie labor, 
hoc opus. Turning our backs to the English Channel, we 
proceeded to Mr. Slade's, at Colyton, here taking up our rest 
for two nights ; the doctor supplying this pulpit in exchange 
with Mr. Cornish, the minister, who did his duty at Sid- 
mouth. 

Colyton, May 24. Entertained by the conversation of Mr. 
Slade's youngest daughter, excelling the common standard 
in point of understanding, knowledge, and good breeding. 
Took a field-walk with all the family, and to the top of a 
hill commanding a view of a finely improved country all 
around, including the whole vale from the mouth of the Axe 
to Axminster. 

May 25. We set off at meridian, proceeding to Baldash, 
the seat of a Mr. Hook, where we abode till I had bargained 
for a horse to be sent me at an agreed time ; from hence de- 
parted for Wishcombe ; dined and passed the evening at 
cards with Mr. John Carsluck, his sister. Miss C, and a Miss 
Snell, very agreeably ; pressed to lodge, but Mr. Smith with- 
stood their entreaties, and carried me off reluctantly enough 
at nine o'clock. 

May 28. "Walked on the beach and up Salcomb Hill with 
Messrs. Erving and Smith ; an extensive prospect from Port- 
land to the Start ; within these two headlands fifteen leagues ; 
the bay is called Carnarvon. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 209 

TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL, BRISTOL. 

SiDMOUTH, Mmj 31, 1778. 
Dear Sir: 

Your favors of the 1st ult. and 8th inst. were delivered 
to me yesterday afternoon, by the hands of a fair young lady, 
in the alcove on the beach, in this place, being the second 
day of my removal hither from Exeter, which makes, since my 
arrival in England, just the number of Mother Rowlandson's 
" removes." Having taken minutes of them, I fancy they 
cannot fail, under the correct hand of a judicious friend, to 
form a sensible appendix in the next edition of that curious 
performance, unless you prefer the following title : " The 
perils and peregrinations of a Tory or Refugee, in quest of civil 
liberty, which the author fondly imagined was to be enjoyed 
in higher perfection in the land he travelled through, than in 
that he precipitately abandoned, without money to support, 
friends to advise, or wisdom to guide him." 

Having made a short ramble the other day to Taunton and 
its neighborhood, it came into my mind to point out to you 
the most agreeable route, should you continue of the mind to 
take a journey to these parts during the bathing season. As 
you will doubtless prefer a post-chaise, you may command 
your own time, and choose your road ; in this case you will 
find the Wells Road as pleasant as any. On your arrival 
there, you will not fail to take a view of the cathedral, which 
presents perhaps as fine, if not the finest front of any old 
Gothic church in England. Within, it is renowned, that I 
know of, for nothing ; its size is one of the smallest, and its 
bishop's palace one of the largest, and has the appearance, 
from the moat and battlements, to have been the residence 
rather of a warlike baron than of a peaceable minister of re- 
ligion. From hence, at about four miles distant, is a natural 
cavern in the Mendip Hills, called Okey or Wolkey Hole ; it 
is well worth visiting, and is of the same kind, although not 
so deep, as that of the Peak of Derby. From hence to 
Bridgewater, the famous Glastonbury monastery lies right on 
your road, where you will probably stop at the inn. Your 

18 * 



210 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

curiosity when there cannot fail of being highly gratified by 
a view of its remains, of which it is, however, almost pillaged. 
Between this last place and Bridgewater, the turnpike is de- 
lightful, and if your driver should be as complaisant as mine, 
he will run you a distance of fifteen miles in an hour and a 
half. In this stage you will pass over a ridge dividing the 
great Somerset Moor, extending beyond the reach of the eye, 
and filled with innumerable herds of black cattle, from that 
called King's Sedgemore, lying on the left, celebrated you 
know in history for the defeat of the unfortunate Duke of 
Monmouth, in 1685. Far beyond, on that side, is seen the 
obelisk raised by the late Lord Chatham to the memory of 
his benefactor. Sir William Pynsent. From Bridgewater, at 
four or five miles distant, lying two miles out of the road to 
Taunton, lies Enmore Castle, a seat of Lord Egmont, built 
on the plan and in the style of the old baronial castles. 

Your next stage is the pretty town of Taunton, situated in 
a vale or bottom called Taunton-Deanvale, remarkable for 
length, breadth, and fertility ; of the former thirty miles, sec- 
ond ten or twelve, and for the latter exceeded by none. In 
this stands the tower of its principal church, called Mary 
Magdalen, which will attract your attention, being more 
crowded with Gothic decorations than any edifice of that 
size that has fallen under your view. 

Should you think it proper to take the road over Black- 
down, and so through Honiton, rather than through Welling- 
ton and Collumpton Road, you will, on the ascent of Black- 
don Hill, about five miles this side of Taunton, before you 
have reached the summit, on a retrospection of the whole 
length and breadth of the vale, see cultivation in its highest 
state of improvement, and a luxuriancy, verdure, and fruitage, 
no other region can boast of. You will, I doubt not, join 
with me in saying so pleasing a rural view is not to be seen 
but from this spot. From Taunton to Honiton is seventeen 
miles, and from thence to this place is nine, or to Exeter six- 
teen. You will, I know, take this intimation in good part. 
Very affectionately your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 211 

June 1. Dr. Price, in his Fast Sermon on February 10th, 
speaking of the dependence of a nation's safety on righteous 
men, has the following : " There is a distant country, once 
united to this, where every inhabitant has in his house, as a 
part of his furniture, a book on law and government, to ena- 
ble him to understand his Colonial rights ; a musket to enable 
him to defend those rights ; and a Bible to understand and 
practise religion. What can hurt such a country ? Is it any 
wonder we have not succeeded ? How secure must it be 
while it preserves its virtue against all attacks." 

June 12. Between five and six o'clock rode with my two 
fellow-boarders to Ottery beacon, commanding a prospect of 
Ottery vale as far as Sir George Young's seat, in the neigh- 
borhood of Honiton. Continued to ride over the ridge till 
Honiton appeared in view ; returned in a mist through Sid- 
bury, Sidford, etc., and, in a moist plight, at eight o'clock, 
dismounted. 

June 13. A large fleet appeared in the offing ; near thirty 
capital ships, judged to be Keppel's. Invited by Mr. Skad- 
don to a sight of the cane King Charles I. had in his hand 
at his trial, from whence the gold head dropped off in court ; 
interpreted by the credulous as an ill omen. It is a beauti- 
ful stick, and finely shaded, and I suppose as much revered, 
by his infatuated admirers, as Aaron's rod that budded was 
by the devout Israelites. He also possesses the Duke of 
Northumberland's golden key, as Lord Chamberlain, which, 
when he acts in that capacity, is fastened to his pocket-flaps. 
Also King Charles II.'s cabinet, and some fine old royal por- 
celain, as precious relics of infinite value. 

June 15. An early ride to Peak Hill ; a distant sight of 
Portland and about Abbotsbury. 

June 22. Rode with Mr. Ogburn to Woodbury Castle, so 
called ; the remains of a Danish fort, standing on the edge of 
a lofty range of hills ; the ramparts of earth and ditches still 
remain. The place of arms contains about five acres : on 
the highest point is a house built for hunting parties, etc. ; the 
roof projects in front, supported by four pillars in rustic order, 
the bark remaining unstripped. From hence to Exmouth, to 



212 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

dinner ; a famous bathing town ; nearly four hundred stran- 
gers have been here at a time. More handsome houses than 
Sidmouth ; returned home before eight o'clock. 

June 24. This day my friend Mr. Isaac Smith was or- 
dained to the pastoral office over the little congregation of 
Dissenters here. A minister of the Episcopal Church, whose 
curiosity prompted him to attend, continued through the 
whole service, expressed great delight at, and approbation of 
the performances, and a high opinion of the solemnity and 
propriety of the whole. Pity that the narrowness of party 
keeps asunder and divides in affection men engaged in the 
same worthy design, and servants of the same kind and 
benevolent Master, whose chief command is mutual love and 
good-will. 

June 28. Mr. Berguyn, a North Carolina gentleman, called 
on his way to Falmouth to take passage in a packet for 
America ; encouraged by their Assembly having voted to ad- 
mit all Refugees who apply. 

June 30. Admiral Keppel's fleet has taken three French 
frigates. 

TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, CARDIFF, SOUTH WALES. 

Sidmouth, June 30, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

I hope this will not be as long on the road as your favor of 
the 12th of May, that came to hand only a month after date. 
I delayed an answer that I might be more explicit to your 
question about the houses I mentioned to you : they are not 
furnished, but furniture is to be obtained at fifteen per cent., 
beds and such articles at twelve. This I have from Col. 
Erving, who is now at Exeter, but does not propose to abide 
there longer than the 25th of September, when his lease will 
expire. Where to retreat he seems undetermined ; he wishes 
to reside among people hospitable, social, unceremonious, 
and not dressy ; if such can be found. He requests you to 
inform him, through me, whether you have received any in- 
formation respecting Abergavenny in Monmouth. Is it pleas- 
ant, and has it a plentiful and cheap market ? Are furnished 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 213 

houses to be had cheap ? Are the people hospitable, social, 
and disposed to form an unceremonious acquaintance, and 
are they expensive in dress and dinners ? The same is re- 
quested respecting Cowbridge and Cardiff. Do you intend 
remaining at your present abode for a long time, and who 
is with you in your neighborhood, and do they propose to 
remain ? 

My present companions are Dr. Smith, just ordained over 
his little flock here, and our countryman Mr. Ogburn, in the 
same house ; to which number I expect in ten days will be 
added Mr. and Mrs. Sewall from Bristol. This place is a 
watering-place, resorted to by the neighboring gentry. Hav- 
ing bought a pony, I make frequent excursions into the coun- 
try hereabouts, passing my time as agreeably as the untoward 
circumstances of my affairs allow. Should I not be happy 
enough to enlarge my party, I intend to make a ten days' 
ramble through Cornwall with my friend Dr. Smith, who 
has become an inhabitant, and may continue to be for some 
years. 

Should that report induce Mr. Erving's retreating to your 
quarters, and you continue where you are, I may pass a 
month with you before winter. 

Yours, truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

July 1. With Messrs. Smith and Ogburn rode to Honiton, 
to see the annual procession of lace-makers ; alighted at the 
Golden Lion, and was soon called over and invited to dine 
at a Mrs. Youat's, whose daughter is presidentess of this 
society, in number exceeding a hundred. They have an 
afternoon sermon, and afterwards walk in procession, in the 
following order : the presidentess, with a wand adorned with 
flowers ; then four maidens, eight years old, with each a 
basket of flowers and large bouquets, walking between two 
arches adorned with flowers ; then follow the patronesses, 
each with a white wand ; then the standard-bearer, followed 
by two dozen couple, with a standard-bearer attending them. 
In this order they paraded through the principal streets, and 



214 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

then adjourned to the Golden Lion Inn, to take tea and pass 
the evening in dancing and festivity. To this we were in- 
vited, but my occasions calling me to Exeter, and a want of 
relish for such mirth, concurred to send me off the ground 
before the street parade was over, leaving my companions to 
return home by moonlight. Lodged at the " Valiant Soldier," 
Exeter. 

Sidmouth, July 8. Rode to Hull-down to see the Exeter 
races. The cup, with two hundred guineas, won by Mr. 
Wildman's horse Lubin ; sport indifferent. The dust and 
heat were insufferable ; the numbers present supposed to 
be ten thousand. 

July 10, Judge Sewall visited us ; in the afternoon walked 
with him to Peak Hill. 

July 14. Received a letter from Peter Frye, Esq., without 
mention of time or place. 

TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON. 

Sidmouth, July 12, 1778. 
Dear. Sir: 

I should be glad to see you at this bathing-town of mud 

walls and thatched roofs. Judge Sewall and lady, Samuel 

Sewall, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Ogburn are here ; and at Exeter, 

fourteen miles off, are Col. Erving's family. Col. Vassall, Mr. 

Lechmere ; and late Lieut.-Governor Oliver is soon to be 

there. The advices from Boston discover a disposition I 

could scarce expect to hear. I presumed in this flourishing 

state of their affairs, none durst whisper a doubt of the om- 

nipotency of the Congress, allied as they are to France. 

Very truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO MR. GEORGE RUSSELL, BIRMINGHAM. 

Sidmouth, July 13, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

Accept my warmest thanks for your kind solicitude about 

my health, which is but in an ill state ; having a few days 

since received a shock of the kind which confined me last 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 215 

winter, and nearly translated me to another, or rather no 
state of existence. Don't let this expression hurt you ; I 
mean not a doubt of a future state, but whether the soul does 
not remain inactive during its separation from the body, and 
until roused by the last trumpet to life and activity, is a 
doctrine I cannot entirely disprove ; but no more of principles. 
My mind is as easy, submissive, and resigned, as a conviction 
that the divine conduct is right can make it ; to aid which, I 
muster up all my religion and philosophy, sometimes with 
success; sometimes nature oppressed sinks under the burden. 
Having proposed in my answer to follow the order of your 
letter, I come to a tender point, the condition of the amiable 
and worthy partner of your soul, for whom I feel more than 
a common friend's affection and regard ; you have my ear- 
nest prayers that her life may be continued till it shall cease 
to be a blessing ; nor can our fondest wishes, guided by 
reason, extend further. The vicissitudes daily taking place 
should be daily lessons to teach us the vanity of too fondly 
expecting felicity from flattering, transitory circumstances 
here below. Should it please the Sovereign Disposer of life 
to deprive you of your dearest friend, may you experience all 
the advantages that religion and true philosophy afford ; as I 
doubt not you view the evils of life with too religious an eye 
not to consider every event, however irksome at present, as 
capable of yielding the most solid, pure, and lasting comfort 
in the final issue. This day I received a letter from an old 
friend, now in banishment with his wife and children at Hali- 
fax, conceived in the common plaintive strain with all letters 
from that quarter ; complaining of the spiritless measures of 
Administration and their military servants. In truth, vigor 
and activity seem not the characteristic of this nation at this 
period ; the continued series of untoward events on the side 
of Great Britain, in this unnatural contest between her and 
the Colonies, has, I fear, given the coup de grace to her glory. 
The sun of Britain is past the meridian and declining fast to 
the West, and America is forever emancipated from the legis- 
lative authority of this once potent Empire ; alas ! no more 
so. The prophetic falling off of the best jewel from our 



216 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

King's crown, when on his head at coronation, is now ac- 
complished by the loss of America, which I consider irrevoc- 
ably gone ; whether to their advantage, is a point, I fancy, 
the Congress and I should not join issue in : the burden of 
supporting an independency with dignity is too heavy for 
America to bear, especially the Northern Colonies, unless the 
patriots there will discharge the troublesome public trusts 
and offices without pecuniary emoluments ; requiring a much 
greater degree of virtue, self-denial, and public spirit, than I 
think now does or indeed ever did exist there, unless in pro- 
fession. 

I fancy by this time I have tired my friend in reading, as 
I confess I have myself in writing, and conclude by wishing 
he may live long, and see many prosperous days. 

Your affectionate friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

July 15. Went off with Mr. Withers in his phaeton, accom- 
panied by Messrs. Smith, Jarvis, and Meservale, to Beer ; 
dined at King's Head ; afternoon, were rowed a league out, 
and remained out two hours. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 217 



CHAPTER X. 

A. D. 1778. Excursion to the West. Otterton. Lympstone. Teignniouth. 
Newton Bushel. Dartmouth. Torbay. Bridgtown. Chudleigh. Exe- 
ter. Returns to Sidraouth. Visits Beach at Axininster. Letters on Pub- 
lic Affairs. Excursion to Wevmouth and Portland. Melcomb Regis. 
Island of Portland described. Roman Remains. Dorchester. Advices 
from New York. Quits Sidmouth for Exeter. Arden's Course of Lec- 
tures on Experimental Philosophy. Letter from Judge Sewall. Number 
of Ships taken by the French. Votes of the Bishops on the American 
War. The Author completes his sixty-third year. 

Sidmouth, July 17. Set off alone on an excursion to the 
West ; at nine o'clock passing over Peak Hill, through Otter- 
ton, and over Welbry Common ; my first stage at Mr. With- 
ers', Lympstone, intentionally to persuade him to accom. 
pany me to Teignmouth, agreeably to a vague promise from 
him the preceding day. He was gone to Exeter. I then 
proceeded through Star Cross and Dawlish Sands; on the 
other side of the beach is an extensive sea and land view ; 
from hence is about four miles to Teignmouth, where arrived 
at six o'clock at the Globe Inn, facing the sands and beach. 
This is a bathing town, and resorted to by more, and com- 
pany of higher rank, than Sidmouth can boast. It is irregu- 
larly built, but the houses more in number and of incompar- 
ably better appearance. The beach for bathing lies at some 
distance from the town. Lodged here. 

July 18. Rose early, took the road to Newton Bushel, dis- 
tant six miles, through Bishop Stanton,, passing also through 
King's Stanton. Newton has three hundred houses, de- 
cently built ; shops of almost every kind of goods, streets 
paved, two Episcopal and one Presbyterian church. Break- 
fasted and soon set off, passing at half a mile distant an old- 
fashioned seat called Ford, belonging to Lord Courtenay, in 

19 



218 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

whose manor this town lies. From hence to Dartmouth, 
lying sixteen miles distant; the land in the approaches 
thereto hilly and uneven, but all improved ; at three alighted 
at a Mrs. Quick's, in a place called Kingsware ; this is a 
cluster of houses on the hither side of the river Dart, where 
the harbor pilots dwell, and has an Episcopal church. Fer- 
ried over much the width of Charlestown Ferry, about half a 
mile within the extreme points of the harbor. 

Dartmouth,, July 20. At twelve, A. M., departed for Tor- 
bay, five miles distant ; an ugly town, houses low, and for 
the greater part slovenly in appearance ; among them, how- 
ever, a few decent ones. The lower point adjoining the quay 
occupied by those who depend on the hook and line ; here 
being no fewer than fourscore boats daily employed in that 
service, all with a mast and sail, and four to two tons bur- 
den. They supply Exeter, Bath, Bristol, etc., quite across 
the country nearly a hundred miles north from them. Dined 
at George Inn, and took leave of Brixholm. Thence to Barry 
Pomeroy, an estate of the Duke of Somerset ; the house large, 
but avenues in a neglected state ; magnificent edifices and 
expansive pleasure-grounds seem not to be this duke's taste, 
or a scanty purse restrains it. Hence to Bridgtown, con- 
tained in the parish of Barry Pomeroy and a part of the manor 
of the same name, within which I was told Totness stands. 
The Duke derives from his estate here two thousand pounds 
yearly. Totness is a corporation and a parliamentary bor- 
ough ; is remarkable for the singularity of its Address to the 
first George of the Brunswick line, at his accession to the 
throne of these kingdoms. After the usual flattery, such as is 
always paid to a new race of princes, they offered his Majesty 
sixteen shillings in the pound of their estates, and the other 
four if he should want it, as a proof of their loyalty. 

July 21. Arose at seven o'clock, mounted my horse, rode 
to Newton, before mentioned ; stopped there for the night. 

July 22. After breakfast departed for Chudleigh, but miss- 
ing the road, passed over Hull-down, leading to Dawlish, 
and arrived at one o'clock at Exeter ; Mr. Erving happening 
in sight, urged my driving with him. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 219 

Exeter, July 24. After visiting my old acquaintances, 
returned to Sidmouth by eight o'clock, evening. 

Sidmouth, July 26. Met Mr. George Eveleigh, a gentle- 
man of South Carolina, educated both at school and college 
at Cambridge, New England, whom I remember a school- 
boy when I was in college ; now the father of five grown-up 
children. 

TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON. 

Sidmouth, July 28, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

Please let me know whether you have received any late 
advices from Boston or New England, by which you are in- 
formed of the situation of the country respecting its political, 
civil, or religious condition ; the temper and disposition of its 
inhabitants respecting those who have left the country ; their 
inclinations or ability to continue the war. Would that the 
execrable spirit of persecution might abate, they be restored 
to reason, and I to my native country ; an event I ardently 
long for : indeed, I sometimes feel resolution enough to at- 
tempt to go and throw myself on the mercy of those whom 
party rage has rendered almost insensible to the tender feel- 
ings of humanity ; but fear, and a settled aversion to their 
levelling principles and persecuting practices, disarm me. 

With truth, your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

August 16. News received that Congress has rejected any 
treaty with the British Commissioners ; (as might easily have 
been, and was, I believe, fully imagined by all the world 
would be the case at this late period,) without an express 
specific acknowledgment of their independency. 

Axminster, August 18. Walked to beach ; seven bath- 
ing machines standing there, dragged into the water by a 
horse each. The alcove and ball-room larger and more re- 
spectable than at Sidmouth. 



220 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON. 

SiDMOUTH, August 31, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

The dangerous, distrustful situation the nation is in, makes 
me tremble for the next news from abroad, lest it shake the 
Government to its centre. In the annals of this country, I 
know of no period in which England stood on a narrower 
point ; not in 1688, nor even when the Scotch rebels had 
penetrated as far as Derby, in 1745. The designs of Provi- 
dence are inscrutable, not to be controlled by human policy 
nor defeated by human strength. 

Although I have, all along, doubted that Congress would 
accept terms short of independence, I confess myself not a 
little deranged at the confirmation of it. That Congress 
should be loth to quit their authority, is not to be wondered 
at, for it is the nature of power to endeavor to preserve itself; 
but I cannot help flattering myself with hopes that America 
will soon see her interest in a different point of light from 
Congress, and disappoint the ambitious views of men, how- 
ever well qualified they may be to govern, evidently disposed 
to sacrifice that country's happiness to their lust of power. 
God only knows what will be the issue of the troubles ; may 
it please Him to save her from ruin, and accomplish a happy 
reunion with this, and on a lasting basis. 

Your assured friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Sept. 11. Keppel's and Byron's fleets are sources of incredi- 
ble reports from street and tavern politicians. Should both 
these sea commanders be defeated, none knows the conse- 
quences — fatal ones may be justly apprehended ; this coun- 
try was never in a more perilous situation. 

Sept. 21. The day of our half-yearly fair ; great num- 
bers came in, passing on the beach to view the sea, going 
off in boats, eating, drinking and buying, in the sheds and. 
booths erected on the lower parts of the streets, and filled 
with confectionary, toys, hardware, ribbons, etc. Rode to 
Exeter in the evening. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 221 

Sept. 28. Departed on horseback, accompanied by Mr. 
Smith, on an intended ramble to Weymouth and Portland. 
First stage to Colyton, nine miles, where we dined. Hence 
to Charmouth, a straggling town that extends from the top 
to the bottom of a long hill, and contains one street of per- 
haps a hundred houses ; passing through, we arrived at a 
villa, two miles distant, part of the manor of the Earl of 
Arundel, a Roman Catholic peer, of which persuasion most 
of the inhabitants on his Lordship's estate here are. The 
next cluster of houses on the road v/as Morkam's Lake, 
which, with the former, scarce make up a hundred houses. 
Our next and last stage for this day, Bridport, at the Bull 
Inn, where we supped and lodged. 

Sept. 29. Left for Abbotsbury, ten miles distant ; the 
land along the sea-shore a desert, not so much as a tree, 
shrub, or bush was to be seen. Passed through Weymouth 
to Melcomb Regis, over bridge laid across the Wey, so 
called, being a small arm of the sea, dividing these two 
towns. The latter lying on the land side, is a neck formed 
by the bend, almost at right angles with the river Wey, and 
is the place whereon the beach lies and visitors reside. The 
market is large and better supplied than in the former. 
There is a range of brick buildings, twelve in number, tasty 
and commodious, facing the beach, and but a small distance 
above it ; at the end is an elegant assembly-room, and at a 
small distance are shops of all kinds of articles, millinery, 
toys, etc. Coffee-houses, circulating libraries, etc. The 
beach is furnished with twenty-two machines for bathing, in 
finer taste than any I have seen. This town, like Weymouth, 
is concerned in shipping ; its quay is long enough for sixty ves- 
sels ; not half that number then in port. It has two Episco- 
pal churches and a Presbyterian meeting-house. Weymouth 
is on the outer or south side of the river, consisting princi- 
pally of one street, well paved, but narrow. In front of the 
town is a quay, facing Melcomb, filled with vessels. After 
dining, we sallied forth ; finding nothing further to entertain 
us, soon returned, and ordering forth our horses, took our de- 
parture towards Portland, the last stage. The passage to it 

19* 



222 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

is over a water called the Fleet, between a beach seven miles 
in length and the main land ; by this beach Portland is 
joined to the main, but the way is scarce ever attempted, 
consisting of small loose stones or deep sand, so that a horse 
would sink down half-leg deep ; this approach, therefore, 
must be too tedious to be used. The road from Melcomb to 
the island or peninsula is over a lofty plain of a mile in 
length ; from hence is a hard gravel-beach of over a mile ; 
and opposite the road stands an edifice, in ruins, styled a 
castle, having, however, more the look of a mansion-house 
deserted by its ov^ner, its solitary black site rendering it an 
uncomfortable residence. We soon measured the beach, and 
were wafted over the Fleet by a rope-ferry, as it is called in 
New England dialect. But the beach on the Portland side, 
of a mile and a half, required a more leisurely pace. The 
first village on the island of Portland is called Chesilton, of 
about a hundred houses of reputable aspect; situation low, 
on the plain of a beach ; from hence, being an easy ascent of 
half a mile, we came to two villages. 

In the morning (30th), climbed up the lofty plain to the 
spot the flag-staff is erected on, being the northernmost sum- 
mit, having the castle situate at the northern extremity, from 
which may be seen at one view as far into the English Chan- 
nel as eye can reach ; to Isle of Wight in the east, and to 
the north a vast extent of country. Portland island is about 
five miles in length, breadth two ; on the land side it is de- 
fended by a castle before mentioned. On the southern clifTs 
are two light-houses. Mounted our horses, and in our course 
lay, in the middle road, the first village, called RefFon, which 
contains the only church on the island, encompassed by a 
stone-wall, inclosing an acre of yard. Passed through Ish- 
well, Wikeham, Eison, Weston, and returned to the rope-ferry 
by which we came to the island, and at one o'clock arrived 
at Crown Inn, Melcomb. Thence through Upway, situated 
in a fertile vale, abounding in trees and hedges. The next 
village, lying a little out of our way, is Winterborne Monk- 
ton ; the latter epithet, I suppose, denotes for what it was re- 
markable. Through this village we passed to Maiden Castle, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 223 

a famous encampment of ■ Roman construction, supposed to 
have been built by them soon after their first invasion. In 
their times Dorchester, two miles distant, was their winter, 
as this spot was their summer residence. It is said to be the 
only remains of the kind in Great Britain : form oval ; con- 
tains within the inner intrenchment many acres, enough to 
hold three legions, or eighteen thousand men. The intrench- 
ments entire, four without the other at each end — two on 
each side or flank, encompassing the whole — depth thirty 
feet. It has a stupendous appearance, and looks like the 
work of a people capable of any undertaking, however diffi- 
cult. Thence we jogged on to Dorchester. 

Dorchester, Oct. 1. Rambled over the town : here are 
assize and session-house, prison and bridewell ; about 2500 
inhabitants ; houses decent, and streets paved. Avenues to 
the town pleasant at all quarters, being lined with a row of 
trees on each side for two miles ; from hence at ten o'clock 
we departed, shaping our course towards the remains of Ro- 
man antiquity, the occasion of our coming hither ; and in half 
an hour arrived at the amphitheatre, which is entirely of earth ; 
the forms whereon the benches were laid for spectators are 
yet entire. The outer line an oval, the earth thrown up in 
the manner of an encampment, and about twenty feet high, 
encompassing the whole ; the area or space wherein specta- 
cles were exhibited, measures forty or fifty yards longest di- 
ameter ; two rows of benches, judged spacious enough to 
hold two thousand spectators. Having satisfied curiosity, 
proceeded through fields for the castle, lying on a lofty ridge 
at about a mile and a half further. Having finished our 
survey, and amused ourselves with fine prospects, we ascend- 
ed by another quarter to the fields and inclosures adjoining 
hereto ; crossing which, at length reached turnpike at a vil- 
lage called Martinston, from hence to Winterburn-Stepleton 
and Clenston ; here we m.et the great London Road to Plym- 
outh and the West; glad once again to salute it and for- 
sake the cross-roads that are but indifferent at best, and some 
execrable ; in this we kept till arrival at first and last stage 
of this day, alighting in about two hours at Bull Inn, Brid- 



k 



224 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

port, distant from Dorchester seventeen miles. The business 
for which this town is famed, and carried on to a great ex- 
tent, is in sailcloth and white cordage ; in size little inferior 
to Dorset. 

JBridport, Oct. 2. To Axminster, Honiton, and Wish, 
comb, where lodged. 

Oct. 3. Alighted at Mrs. Godfrey's, my new lodging- 
house in Sidmouth. 

Sidmouth, Oct. 10. Spirit of privateering against France 
surprisingly raised ; success incredible : three East India 
ships homeward bound taken, and thirty-six St. Domingo 
and Martinico ships, and a multitude of others. 

Oct. 26. Accompanied Mr. Smith to Mr. William Lloyd's, 
at Otterton, a substantial farmer. In conversation on differ- 
ent ranks of mankind, and different consequent mode of 
living, my companion told us the following tale from an Irish 
lady. A young countrywoman of hers wished she might be 
queen for a month, for then, said she, I would have bacon 
with my broth. To which our hostess added one of the like 
kind. A young lad of Cornwall wished he might be king, for 
then, said he, I would ride on gates and eat fat bacon with 
my broth. The demands of nature are few and easily satis- 
fied ; it is education and use that increase our appetites and 
render them troublesome. 

Oct. 27. Evening, Mr. Smith visited me. Our sentiments 
on toleration differ ; he holds that every subject in a State has 
an absolute right to unlimited toleration, be his principles 
what they may. I think no man should be persecuted for 
opinion's sake, yet he has no right to complain of any dis- 
abilities he may be under, whose avowed persuasion is that 
faith is not to be kept with those whose religious tenets differ 
from his own, whose religion absolves him from most solemn 
engagements, nay, who thinks himself in conscience bound to 
violate promises, vows, and oathg ; nay, further, thinks it 
highly meritorious to disturb the peace and overthrow the 
very Government he has sworn to support, when his priest 
directs, and opportunity presents. Opinions, merely such, the 
magistrate ought by no means to concern himself with, nor 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 225 

subject them to his control ; and therefore every peaceable 
man has an equal claim to his protection in his person and 
property. 

By letters from Lord Cornwallis, at New York, it appears 
Count D'Estaing had been obliged hastily to retreat with his 
squadron from Rhode Island, by the arrival of Lord Howe, 
with twenty line-of-battle ships and twenty frigates ; that 
a severe storm parted the fleets ; that the Americans, by a 
bridge of boats, had landed twelve thousand men on the isl- 
and, and that General Clinton had strengthened his garrison 
by several detachments he himself had brought from New 
York ; that Gen. Lee, being accused of cowardice and bad 
conduct, was suspended by a court-martial. 

Oct. 28. Lord Howe has arrived from Rhode Island in 
the Eagle. Four of our frigates have been sunk at Rhode 
Island, when invested by D'Estaing and the Provincials ; also 
twenty-three ships destroyed. 

The Bostonians are said to be out of humor with their 
new friends and allies, and no wonder ; French government, 
laws, religion, manners, and policy, are totally alien and un- 
natural to Americans, and will sit uneasy till custom and 
long use have familiarized them. 

Nov. 17. Rode to Beer with Mr. Smith ; visited the vicar 
of Seaton and Beer, a character truly original ; a great hu- 
morist and punster, not unlike Rev. Mather Byles, of Boston, 
in that line. He is of enormous bulk, confined by gout, 
which he told us was his third attack, resembling, in his own 
language, a furnace heated seven times hotter than the 
former ; compared himself, in the midst of excruciating pains, 
to his Holiness seated to receive adoration in his sanctified 
chair ; ti-eated us hospitably, and was very facetious. 

Nov. 23. Took my leave of Sidmouth, my residence for 
approaching winter being to be at Exeter ; passed the road 
in two hours and a half, and sat down at new lodgings in 
Fore-street, near East-gate. 

Exeter^ Nov. 26. With Mr. Smith rode to Newton Abbot 
to visit a Capt. Hendley, returned from Newfoundland, taken 
by Capt. Babson and carried into Boston, where and at Cape 



226 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Ann he resided six weeks. He reports that the country is 
in a distressed condition, wanting almost every comfort ; no 
trade but privateering, by which some have been raised from 
nothing to affluence ; says the inhabitants are embittered 
against the French, who have engrossed all the trade, from 
whom they do not in return receive any advantage of la- 
bor or supplies, but their own goods at exorbitant prices. 
Wretched effects of civil discord ! How deplorable is the 
situation, how wretched the prospects, of that once happy 
region, which security, peace, and plenty have of late aban- 
doned. 

Dec. 4. Visited my venerable and reverend friend, Mr. 
Towgood ; he is one of very few to whose respectful and un- 
dissembled welcome I am not a little indebted ; to whom my 
grateful acknowledgments are due. The River Exe, by late 
rains swelled beyond the memory of forty years, has caused 
great damage. The two islands lying within the banks of 
the river over against this city, overflown ; on them are tucks 
for drying woollen cloths that are dyed and pressed in the 
city. 

Dec. 16. Attended for the first time Arden's course of 
lectures on experimental philosophy, being the second of the 
course, held in a chamber in the castle ; more than threescore 
present, and continued two hours : subject, electricity. 

Dec. 21. Received a letter from Judge Sewall, full as 
usual of humor and hopes. 

FROM HON. J. SEWALL. 

Bristol, Dec. 18, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

Till 1 had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 1st 
inst., I was as much at a loss from what part of this or any 
other globe I should hear of you, as I was with respect to a 
certain commander-in-chief, when, to use the words of a 
friend in a late letter from New York, " after having pro- 
ceeded up the Delaware within twenty miles of Philadelphia, 
his place of destination, when a looker-on would say they 
must (from the reason and nature of things) land at Wil- 



~ JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 227 

mington, instead of which he sees them tack about — away 
they come — down the river again — huzza — make a circle 
round Asspeak, up Chesapeake, and after travelling in the 
heat of the season, in a hell of a climate, over a monstrous 
extent of country, they arrive at Philadelphia — Hhe army in 
high spirits.'' " Don't you think my friend's description is 
truly Shandean ? However, matters I hope are mending ; 
the account you give me from America seems to be con- 
firmed from all quarters. Judge Howard is lately arrived 
here from New York ; he tells me that a number of gentle- 
men of influence and property, who have been lying on their 
oars to see which way the game would finally go, as I sup- 
pose, have lately come in, among whom is the famous Mr. 
Smith, the lawyer ; ^ that they, together with Mr. Galloway, 
are unanimously of opinion, that, from the unexpected tyr- 
anny of the Congress and their sub-devils, the almost universal 
poverty and distress of the people, and the general aversion 
to French connections, the quondam union of the thirteen 
States is upon the point of dissolution, and that nothing is 
wanting but a single effort to crush the rebellion, root, and 
branch. Judge Howard says he heard Smith say, " if Great 
Britain don't conquer the Colonies, it can only be because 
she wonH ; " that these gentlemen have been much with the 
Commissioners, by whom they have been greatly attended to. 
With these favorable accounts from America, I can't help 
connecting the union that appears in Parliament, respecting 
the grand point, the reduction of the Colonies ; for though the 
opposition to Ministry is still faintly kept up for form's sake, 
yet the language is so different from that held in former ses- 
sions, that I can't help thinking a sense of public danger, 
and a regard to national interest and honor, begin to pre- 
vail over private resentments. From all these appearances I 
augur well ; and I am happy in finding the general opinion 
among my friends and acquaintances is, that the prospect of 
a speedy and happy suppression of the rebellion is fairer now 
than it ever has been. Come, my dear friend, cheer up ; 

1 The historian of New York, and Chief-Justice during the war ; sub- 
sequently of Canada. 



228 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

don't think of going to that " country from whose bourne no 
traveller returns," though there be no sin or sorrow, before 
you have seen a happy end to the sorrows and sins of your 
country. It will be such glorious news to carry with you, 
that it is well worth waiting patiently for many years ; but I 
hope you will have it in one year ; and then, I doubt not, 
you will find yourself more able to combat the unavoidable 
evils of this state militant, and be less in a hurry to set out 
for that unknown country which must be your next stage. 

The situation of American Loyalists, I confess, is enough 
to have provoked Job's wife, if not Job himself; but still 
we must be men, philosophers, and Christians ; and bearing 
up with patience, resignation, and fortitude, against unavoid- 
able sufferings, is our duty in each of these characters. 

There, sir, is a Roland for your Oliver, in the serious way. 
My friends and family here are all well, and wish you health 
and happiness. If you see my good friend the doctor before 
he receives a letter from me, present him my best respects. 

Adieu, 

J. Sewall. 

TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, COWBEIDGE, WALES. 

Exeter, Dec. 26, 1778. 
Dear Sir : 

I have often in fancy, whilst reading a letter from a friend, 
transported myself into his presence, and considered myself 
as attending to his personal conversation, thereby increasing 
my own enjoyment. This curious effect may perhaps be 
peculiar to me ; however, I am pleasing myself that my 
friend Col. Browne, although not apt to be carried into the 
regions of fancy, may on occasion be capable of an innocent 
delusion of this kind. 

Without further preface, my chief intention in this scrawl 
is to amuse this dark, gloomy season with the recital of a few 
circumstances relative to our own country that were told me 
by Capt. Hendley, who was taken into Boston by an Amer- 
ican privateer, and passed six weeks there and at Cape Ann. 
The inhabitants, he said, seemed discontented, and would 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 229 

gladly exchange their unhappy condition for peace and a 
connection with their old friends, could a constitutional line 
be drawn, and America be thereby freed from the future 
attacks of Administration. That they are dissatisfied with 
their new allies, against whom there are great heart-burnings; 
that all commerce is in the hands of the French, and com- 
modities held at an unreasonable height; not a store belong- 
ing to the inhabitants contains any European goods, all 
being in the hands of the French, for which they will receive 
nothing but money, taking in return no supplies from the 
Anglo-Americans, nor employing a laborer; in short, that 
the French are not of the least advantage to them in any 
respect; that privateering, the only resource of the merchants, 
is almost annihilated by the great shock the adventurers that 
way have received ; — that the European articles of import 
are extremely wanted, and at an enormous price ; that the 
French are hated, and in turn they despise and oppress the 
inhabitants, between whom and themselves there are frequent 
quarrels ; and one that lately made a noise in our papers 
here, which happened at Boston a few months since, was 
occasioned solely by the opposition of the natives to the 
French, no English soldier or sailor being then in town ; that 
those who now rule the roast there are like a certain class of 
men mentioned in Scripture, taken from the lowest of the 
people, and too tenacious of their ill-acquired power and 
honors to part with them, or to suffer the least intimation of 
reconcilement with Great Britain : honors did I say ? — for a 
moment I forgot Addison's incontrovertible adage, 

" When vice prevails, 
The post of honor is a private station." 

I fear the measure of these men's folly is not yet quite full, 
but I am egregiously mistaken if they are not making hasty 
strides to their utter undoing. On advice of an order of the 
Congress for a valuation of estates, real and personal, through 
their extended domains, the Massachusetts Bay Assembly, in- 
contestably, unanimously and promptly refused compliance, 
and despatched Mr. Hancock to Philadelphia with their deter- 

20 



230 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

mination and remonstrance. Their bills of credit, which at 
first emission passed at the rate of four and sixpence the 
dollar, had sunk to one and threepence, and passed current 
only by permission at one and sixpence. The houses in 
Boston and all along the coast are stripped of every article 
of furniture and valuable effects, save what is absolutely 
necessary for constant use, the inhabitants being in continued 
dread of a descent on the coast, which, indeed, they have but 
too probable grounds to apprehend. A passenger, lately fled 
from America on the score of sufferings there, declares the late 
menace in the Commissioners' Proclamation will assuredly 
effect what neither persuasions nor threats have yet had force 
enough to bring about, a solid and firm union of all ranks 
and classes, for want of which alone in the Middle Colonies, 
he says, the British Army has not, long since, been driven 
into the sea. The manifesto, which I presume you have seen, 
issued by the Congress in consequence of that proclamation, 
renders it more than probable that, should the dreadful expe- 
dient threatened take place, history will hardly furnish a par- 
allel to the cruelty and carnage of the following campaign, 
which God in his infinite mercy prevent. I presume, before 
receipt of this, you will have seen the account of Lords Corn- 
wallis and Carlisle's return to Great Britain, and the shat- 
tered condition of Byron's fleet, on which was placed such 
confidence and dependence, having sustained a loss, it is to 
be feared, of several capital ships. The almost uninterrupted 
series of untoward events and curious accidents which have 
befallen this people since the commencement of these mutual 
confusions and strifes, has not seldom reminded me of a 
passage in the song of Deborah and Barak ; I wish for form's 
sake I could recollect our New England version : " They 
fought from heaven, the stars in their courses fought against 
Sisera." This text is not quoted by way of comparison ; I 
would not have you suppose that I mean to compare the 
hosts of Sisera to the British army, for in truth I do not 
think the Americans to be the chosen people of God, or their 
armies the armies of the living God, though they have only 
and simply Deo auspice for their motto on their bills and 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 231 

standards. I should have finished the above by adding some- 
what of a more cheerful strain, but having finished my sheet 
must conclude v^ith affectionate regards to Mrs. Browne, your 
son and self. S. Curwen. 

Dec. 25. There have been twenty-eight King's ships, pri- 
vateers and letters of marque carried into Brest, from 20th 
ult. to 10th inst. ; a very respectable number, truly, consider- 
ing the English are lords of the ocean ! Of the twenty-eight 
bishops only four voted to adopt the new mode of carrying 
on the war by spreading carnage and desolation through 
America, as decreed in the Commissioners' Proclamation. 
Whatever excuses or reasons politicians may assign for ex- 
tending or securing temporal dominion by such cut-throat 
measures, these four servants of the meek and lowly Jesus 
have exhibited a spirit that should through the duration of 
time render them infamous, and their names and memory 
proverbially detestable. In the papers received to-day, ap- 
pears a manifesto of Congress in answer to the Commis- 
sioners' Proclamation, announcing a retaliation of like 
measures. 

Dec. 28. This day I am arrived at my grand climacteric, 
having just completed my sixty-third year: with more pro- 
priety than old Jacob may I say, "Few and evil have been the 
days of the years of my lifeJ^ For what I am reserved, is 
known to God only ; many have been my deliverances, many 
the deaths I have been rescued from. May my remaining 
days be employed to more valuable purposes, and to my own 
real honor and advantage, temporal and eternal. Visited 
by Mr. George Eveleigh, with whom and family I have an 
agreeable acquaintance. He was one of the first couple my 
old friend Mr. McGilchrist married in South Carolina, the 
ceremony performed at Wands, in Christ Church parish. He 
was educated at Harvard College, and boarded with Presi- 
dent Wadsworth ; at first sight of me at Bristol two years 
ago, he recognized my name and person ; having been at 
school in Cambridge while I was a student in college. 



232 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



CHAPTER XI. 

A. D. 1779. Origin of Custom of making Presents on New-Yeav's-Day. Let- 
ters on Public Affairs. British Fleet at Torbay. Lord North announces 
Departure of Spanish Minister. Ordination at Lympstone. Combined 
Fleet of France and Spain off Plymouth. Author suspected of being an 
American Spy. Leaves Exeter for Bristol Dines with Mr. Vassall. 
Dr. Gardiner. Captain Carpenter arrives with Letters, etc., from Salem. 
Mrs. Erving. William Cabot. 

Exeter^ Jan. 1, 1779. A delightful day ; visited Mr. Eve- 
leigb, and by invitation passed the afternoon and evening 
there. Why should presents be made upon the first day of 
January more than at any other time ? The original of this 
custom is attributed to the reign of Romulus, and Tatius 
king of the Sabines, who governed jointly in Rome in the 
seventh year of the city. It is said that Tatius, having 
been presented on the first of January with some boughs out 
of the forest of the goddess Strenia, in token of good luck, be- 
gan this custom, and called the present slrena. The Romans 
made this a holiday, and consecrated it to the honor of Janus, 
offering sacrifices to him ; and the people went in throngs to 
Mount Tarpeia, where Janus had an altar clothed anew, and 
chose to begin their respective employments on this day. 
They wished one another good luck, and were very careful 
not to speak anything ill-natured or quarrelsome. The com- 
mon presents among the meaner sort were dates, figs, and 
honey, which were usually covered with leaf gold : and those 
who were under the protection of great men used to add a 
piece of money. In the reign of Augustus, the populace, 
gentry and senators, used to send him new-year's gifts, and if 
he was not in town, they carried them to the capitol. From 
the Romans this custom went to the Greeks, and from the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 233 

heathens to the Christians, who early came into the practice 
of making presents to the magistrates. Some of the Fathers 
wrote strenuously against this practice, on account of the 
immoralities committed under the cover of protection : but 
since the Governments of the several nations of Europe have 
become Christianized, the custom is still retained as a token 
of friendship, love and respect. 

TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON. 

ExETEu, Jan. 17, 1779. 
Dear Sir : 

Inability to provide for one's own support is a mortify- 
ing consideration that embitters almost every circumstance 
of life. Once I thought health with virtue and a compe- 
tency a happy condition ; now I think otherwise ; experience 
has taught me that more is necessary to human happiness. 
"Without something in pursuit, rightly or wrongly estimated 
worthy, life is insipid. A connection with my fellow-men, 
constant employment, and a much less sum would render me 
more pleased with the world and myself, than the supplies I 
receive whilst I dream the blank of life along, unknowing 
and unknown. Did I know how to emancipate myself from 
this tediously utiiform state of little more than mere animal 
life, not an hour should pass before I would fly to any quar- 
ter of the habitable earth to accomplish it. My past inactive 
state often reminds me of a Latin adage, '■^Fruges consumere 
natns,^^ a reproach I can but ill brook. Man, by the kind in- 
tention of his Creator was formed for useful action ; selfish 
ease, indulgence and repose, injure both body and mind; 
the former without exercise cannot maintain its health and 
strength, nor will the latter, if unemployed on laudable, wor- 
thy objects, refuse to stoop to base ones, or destroy its vigor 
for want of exertion, or by sensual indulgence. 

Your mention of the Proscription Act in your letter I fancy 
I did not understand, never having seen any names inserted 
in any Act ; if you mean that lately in our newspapers where- 
in the Refugees are forbidden under penalty of transportation 
to return, and threatened with death in case of a second 

20* 



234 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. ' 

entrance within the United States, that I have seen, but none 
other of the kind. Yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

Jan. 23. The last " Remembrancer " contains a list of Re- 
fugees banished by Act of the Massachusetts Government, 
specifying only four out of the thirteen from Salem, viz., 
William Browne, Benjamin Pickman, John Prince, and John 
Sargent. The omission of my name affords no comfort, 
fearing it may operate disadvantageously here, being depend- 
ent on the bounty of the Court. 

Jan. 80. This day is, in Church of England language, 
" Charles's martyrdom. ^^ Attended service ; Archdeacon Hull, 
of Barnstaple, preached a furious, high-Tory address to a thin 
audience. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

Exeter, Feh. 1, 1799. 
Dear Sir : 

I hope your New England Toryism will not end in English 
Jacobinism, as your letter seems to indicate. Curiosity led 
me last night to the cathedral, where, if you are a real be- 
liever that those sufferings of the pretended martyr were un- 
deserved, your ears would have been charmed with Archdea- 
con Hull's encomium on him, and your liberal breast fired 
with indignant rage at his cruel persecutors. But really, 
when I see the solemn mockery of a pulpit clothed in black, 
the staves of the city officers covered with the same grim 
color, no music in the service of the day, which generally con- 
stitutes so essential a part of Christian worship ; God most 
earnestly entreated not to lay this miscalled murder to the 
charge of the nation, or to require his blood at their hands, 
who, to compass his own tyrannous purposes, would have 
involved (and really did as far as in him lay) this island and 
Ireland in confusion, carnage and desolation ; and further 
that nothing less than the blood of the Son of God can ex- 
piate this (in the Church language) inhuman and execrable 
(but I durst affirm justly deserved) murder, I cannot fail to 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 235 

wish Government would lay aside a service which insults com- 
mon sense, is a mere religious grimace, and which all liberal 
minds justly despise. Were you to have seen the pitiful and 
thin company, you would have wagered odds that they were 
hardened wretches, and went merely to save appearances. 

I thank you for the mention of my name to your father, 
which, if I judge from former experience, will be productive 
of no very comfortable effects to me ; my friends having, I 
fear, adhered to the notion that my departure was an inten- 
tional and full adieu. The omission of my name in the Ban- 
ishment Act I fear will prove injurious to me here. That 
your father makes no mention of Government or the temper 
of the people, I presume arises from his prudence and the 
surveillance of the rulers there, which is, I fancy, strict 
enough. Very affectionately, 

S. CURWEN. 

Feb. 15. Evening, walked with Mr. Eveleigh's family 
through Fore-street to see illumination on occasion of Ad- 
miral Keppel's acquittal by court-martial on a charge of Sir 
Hugh Palliser ; the result is the highest approbation of his 
conduct. London has voted thanks for his bravery, and the 
freedom of the city, and all large cities and towns are follow- 
ing the example. 

Feb. 20. James Russell, on his way to Dartmouth, came 
here to inform me that it was debated in Massachusetts As- 
sembly whether my name should be inserted in the Exclusion 
Bill, and carried by a small majority in my favor, after a 
warm debate. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

ExETEK, i^e6. 19, 1779. 
Dear Sir : 

I presume I am to expect all that is worth hearing from 
Judge Sewall's letter to you. All well in Salem the last of 
December, so Mr. Russell informs me. Two or three per- 
sons, I am told, who had not money enough for shoes for 
their feet, are now riding in coaches of their own in Boston. 



236 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Solomon says, "I have seen servants on horseback, and 
princes walking on foot ; " I really think the royal preacher 
was a prophet, and pointed at the events of our day ; at least 
the present state of English America verifies the remark. 

Though the general election be not for these two years, a 
canvass for votes has begun already. Rolle against Baring 
and Cholwich, who have combined with the Church and 
Chambers. I have seen one instance and heard of another of 
such gross condescension, that it has given me a thorough 
dislike to parliamentary canvassing, and manifests the pitiful 
notions of a nation's honor, virtue and regard to public inter- 
est, which no man of common sense and real integrity, and 
not poisoned by corrupt principles and practices of the times, 
can stoop to, and which nothing but sinister, selfish views 
can digest and submit to. Men of recluse lives only, such as 
monks and speculative system makers, vent their spleen on 
the manners, customs, principles and practices of their day, 
and call their times the dregs and refuse. I will therefore 
suppose it always was, and ever will be the case, with ambi- 
tious men, to use the same low arts and base flattering com- 
pliances to gain their selfish ends ; be it so, it is still un- 
worthy conduct. God forbid that wealth, power and influ- 
ence achieved by such means as reason condemns and honor 
despises, shall ever be in my possession. The nearer I ap- 
proach the verge of life, the juster I fancy my notions are, and 
if indeed they shall prove so, I hope to be finally rid of all es- 
sential errors before I put off this mortal coil and become an 
associate of pure, refined, unembodied intelligences. 
I Yours, etc., S. Curwen. 

TO JONATHAN SEWALL, ESQ., BRISTOL. 

Exeter, March 6, 1779. 
Dear Sir : 

I delayed answering your last favor, in hopes to transmit 

you some little intelligence about our own country by means 

of a Salem captain, who was taken on his passage to Cadiz, 

and carried into Bristol, from whence he set off" for London, 

and after a short abode passed over to France. His sudden 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 237 

flight from this land of Toryism and tyranny has deprived me 
of wished and expected information respecting my family and 
friends, but instead of granting my request, signified in a let- 
ter I wrote, he did not think it consistent with the purity of 
his principles to correspond with a Refugee, as he told Mr. 
Timmins. 

The Banishment Act, which party resentment dictated, will, 
like all overstrained penal measures, be its own destroyer, and 
the malicious designs of its promoters be frustrated by the 
very means employed to manifest their venom and spite 
against the friends of lawful government and the constitu- 
tional rights of their country ; nay, it was soon clamored 
against, and a noted brother counsellor of your Honor's, 
whom you well know, of the doubtful or rather double gen- 
der, has publicly declared it to be a mad act, to which one 
may add, as ever disgraced tyranny itself. How unlike is 
the conduct of our countrymen, who, whilst contending or 
pretending to contend for civil liberty, are contriving and ex- 
citing, with the most rigorous severity, plans of oppression 
against many of their innocent fellow-subjects, feeble and un- 
armed, merely for speculative opinions, to the disgrace of 
their pretensions — I say how unlike is this conduct to those 
generous Athenians who undertook the expulsion of the 
thirty tyrants that had usurped the government of that city : 
themselves reinstated in the rank of citizens, their desires 
were gratified ; they did not persecute with everlasting hatred 
their enemies, but, determined not to yield to that slavery to 
which those had basely submitted, they invited them to share 
the freedom which themselves had so gloriously acquired. 
The above reference, my worthy friend will candidly sup- 
pose is only applied by way of illustration, not comparison, 
which, however, does not run on all fours, as the saying is. 
I was going to set down a few remarks on the present state 
of the nation as it appears to my view ; for the good of the 
nation, you know, in which each individual's happiness is in- 
volved, is of too much importance to be neglected by any 
who wish well to their country ; but having made so many 
false judgments, and remembering the substance in a former 



238 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

favor, my courage fails, and I think it more prudent to keep 
my ideas in ray own breast. There have been circulating, 
among some, curious and amusing enough inconsistencies 
relating to General Campbell in Georgia, from whose suc- 
cessful invasion multitudes augur the quick reduction of 
America, and have taken anticipatory possession of the re- 
mains of D' Estaing's fleet that the flames and sea have not 
devoured, with Martinique and Guadaloupe. Unluckily the 
truth of one report dispels, in the minds of judicious people, 
the succeeding one, consigning it to forgetfulness, which I 
presume is pretty much the case with you, unless the pri- 
vateering business engrosses the attention of your Bristol 
traders, which is not the case with us ; but little concern that 
way, and a declining trade, leave our commercial gentry time 
enough on their hands, now employed in the laudable pur- 
pose of talking and disputing for the honor of Keppel and the 
good of the nation. These political dabblers, together with 
clergy and attorneys, rendezvous at Mill's Coffee-House, the 
mart of politics and scandal, and, I assure you, figure away 
as notably as Fielding's coffee-house politicians, and are not 
altogether unequal to them. 

Having taken some pains, I hope you will be able to read 
the foregoing, notwithstanding the abbreviations, which, for 
despatch, I have used. 

I am your affectionate friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Exeter, March 17. Attended a trial at Common Pleas in 
the castle. Judges Hotham and Perryn ; evening, returning 
home, met a large crowd hallooing, having blue cockades in 
their hats, with an old man at their head, and streamers fly- 
ing at the end of long sticks ; it proved a triumph for victory 
gained over the parish priest in a tithe case. I am told it is 
a customary practice. 

April 2. Good Friday. Canon Moore preached at cathe- 
dral an excellent sermon, as his always are; he is, called 
Bishop Keppel's sermon-writer, as the latter is not considered 
a good writer. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 239 

April 12. Went to deliver a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Erving, 
for Judge Sewall, at Bristol, they being about to depart. 

TO DR. CHARLES RUSSELL, ANTIGUA. 

Exeter, April 2, 1779. 
Dear Sir : 

You are now very near the intended seat of war ; may 
your little island be protected from the ravages of the enemy. 
As the events of war are doubtful, I promise myself no cer- 
tain advantages from the junction of Admirals Byron and 
Barrington ; — shall think it no unfavorable campaign if we 
can retain our present possessions, expecting no conquests 
besides St. Lucia, the surrender of which, in sight of a supe- 
rior French army and navy to British troops, does immortal 
honor to the victors' bravery and skill. The newspapers that 
are the mints of falsehood, are daily deceiving us with rela- 
tions of great distress in the French islands, great dissatisfac- 
tion and heart-burnings between Daville, the Governor of 
Martinico, and D'Estaing ; that the latter has, with a dis- 
abled fleet and a scanty stock of provisions, been blocked up 
in Port Royal harbor, Martinico ; but our newspaper fabrica- 
tors have so many purposes to serve quite distinct from truth 
and the good of society, that I rarely put into my list of facts 
what for amusement only I read there. 

Five or six thousand new levies are designed for America ; 
our privateers have been successful against the East and 
West Indian French fleets, and the French have nearly bal- 
anced accounts by taking and destroying near twenty of our 
frigates, besides prizes, of which Lloyds' List presents us 
weekly with no contemptible numbers. 

The King's troops are in possession of Georgia, from 
which some augur the reduction of all America, but from 
what reason I cannot perceive ; one, two, or three Colonies 
are but part of the confederacy, and there must be some cap- 
ital defeat, I presume, to cool the ardor of minds so united 
as the Americans are at present. 

I remain your friend, etc., 

S. CURWEN. 



240 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

(The above, inclosed to William Cabot, London, to be de- 
livered into Samuel Quincy's hands, who is soon going oif to 
Antigua as comptroller at Parkenbay.) 

May 10. Walked to Poltimore, the seat of the late Sir 
Richard Bampfield, five miles out. This miser, for his 
penuriousness, was called Tenpenny Dick, — endeavoring to 
reduce laborers' day wages to that sum. It is an irregular 
old edifice, and its office, deserted by its owner, foreshows 
approaching ruin. The heir, whose name is Sir Charles 
Warwick Bampfield, is of so different a humor from the late 
miser, that, in the space of eighteen months he has puffed 
off sixty thousand pounds in cash, and an income from lands 
of eight thousand a year, so far as to require many years' 
mortgages, which the estate is now under, with an allowance 
of three hundred a year only. It is said his expenses, during 
his paroxysms of folly, were thirty pounds an hour ; a sad 
instance of folly, thoughtlessness, extravagance, and compli- 
ance with the luxurious taste arid dissipation of the present 
age. 

May 13, Ascension Day. The limits of each parish sur- 
veyed by committees, a great number of boys attendant, 
carrying long slender white rods in their hands ; at certain 
intervals stopping and making loud huzzas. 

A British fleet, of nearly five hundred sail, remains wind- 
bound in Torbay, under Admiral Arbuthnot, commanding 
over forty men-of-war. 

May 18. Byron's fleet, left in the West Indies, worsted by 
D'Estaing. By Lord Gower's (President of the Council) own 
acknowledgment in the House of Lords, the nation is in a 
woful plight, and justly alarmed lest Spain should take part 
against us, as Count Almadava, their ambassador, intimated 
when he should leave : in which case it is my belief we 
have everything to fear ; the combined fleets greatly exceed- 
ing ours. Ireland discontented and seemingly ready to join 
an invader ; Scotland uneasy ; mutinies and discontent in 
the fleet, — distraction, etc., in councils. 

May 19. Col. Erving and family removing to Exmouth, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 241 

by which I have lost one source of much enjoyment ; re- 
peatedly pressed to reside in summer with them, which I have 
hitherto withstood from a dislike to watering places. A fleet 
of sixteen ships of the line and ninety transports, it is re- 
ported, were seen steering towards Ireland ; should they land 
a general defection is to be feared. 

June 5. This day informed by Lord Clifford's priest that 
I may have admittance to see his curiously wrought bed, 
presented by the old Duchess of Norfolk, said to be the rich- 
est in Europe, for which the Queen has offered ten thousand 
pounds, and been refused. It is said there are four thousand 
Bomish priests and fifteen hundred Dissenting ministers of all 
persuasions in England and Wales. The former succeed in 
making converts. 

June 20. Yesterday Lord North announced in the House 
of Commons that the Spanish Minister had left. 

June 23. It is said favorable news has amved to Govern- 
ment ; what a pity that views and passions of mankind 
were not coincident with their real interest, enjoyment and 
felicity ; but, alas ! they are at odds too frequently ; in the 
future world all wrongs will be rectified. 

June 28. Mr. John Sargent, my townsman, brought a let- 
ter from Col. Browne, at Cowbridge ; he proposes to abide 
with me five or six days. 

July 8. At Lympstone, ordination of Mr. Jarvis's brother; 
met my friends Mr. Smith and John Sargent from Sidmouth. 
The actors were Sir H. Trelawney, Dr. Kippis, of London, 
and Dr. Priestley, who preached, and exhibited a picture of 
his own principles, denying in express terms need of particu- 
lar aids in all cases, since Christ's appearance, being only 
necessary for the establishment of a religion; — declaring 
man to be in a similar state respecting moral means as earth 
is in regard to seed put into it ; if it had been in a previous 
state of fitness for bringing forth, its product would be in 
proportion ; if otherwise, small or none at all. 

July 14. Spectators on cliffs amazed with the sight of the 
grand fleet sailing out of Torbay. 

Exmouth, July 18. Attended worship at Lady Glenor- 

21 



242 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

chy's Chapel ; principles inculcated not unlike those at Lady 
Huntington's Chapel. The preacher, a Scotchman, (with a 
Master of Arts gown,) a missionary of Lady G., who, with 
Mr. Holmes, of Exeter, fitted this chapel for the propagation 
of Scotch orthodoxy. Afternoon, at Wythycomb-Raleigh 
parish, lying at the mouth of the river Exe ; the houses are 
chiefly low, with mud walls and thatched roofs, though there 
are a considerable number of brick, covered with slate, repu- 
table and handsome, owned chiefly by Exeter people, who 
come down in shoals on Saturday afternoons for the purpose 
of pastime and festivity among themselves on Sundays; this 
.being almost the only resort on that day, when the town is 
full of them ; not, as I am told, to the emolument or wish of 
the inhabitants. 

July 22. Received a letter from Mr. Bretland, Exeter, in- 
closing a card left for me by Governor Hutchinson on his 
way to London from the West, whither he had been with C. 
Russell. 

Aug. 17. Visited by Mr. Smith and Samuel Sewall from 
Sidmouth ; reported that the combined fleet of France and 
Spain are off" Plymouth ; people along the coast and through 
the country alarmed. 

Aug. 23. A levelling spirit has unhappily taken place 
among the lower classes ; menacing expressions ; they more 
than whisper their wishes that the French may land, adding 
they had as lief have a Louis as a George to reign over them. 

Exeter, Sept. 6. Am informed that I am suspected to be 
an American spy, disaffiected to Government ; this was re- 
ported by one Calhier, a violent hater of the inhabitants of 
the American continent and of all its friends and well-wish- 
ers : his malice I despise, and his power to injure me with 
Government I defy. Exeter has become the seat of scandal, 
pride, inhospitality, foppery ; an awkward imitation of Lon- 
don manners, to their folly, prevails. 

Sept. 23. Left in the coach for Bristol, passing through 
Wellington, Taunton, Bridgewater, and Cross, and arrived 
at White Hart Inn, Bristol, where lodged. 

Sept. 24. Took lodgings at Mrs. Froade's, York-street, 
Brunswick-square. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 243 

TO MR. GEORGE RUSSELL, BIRMINGHAM. 

Bristol, Sept. 28, 1779. 
Dear Sir : 

The alarming condition of public affairs of late has, I pre- 
sume, engaged your attention, and that of every thoughtful 
man ; what remains for Great Britain to hope, I know not ; 
the causes of fear are too many and too obvious to escape 
the observation of the most thoughtless and inconsiderate. 
It is to be wished she may save at least a part of her foreign 
dominions ; which, if not secured by treaty before the follow- 
ing campaign, will, I fear, fall a sacrifice to the ambition of 
France and Spain, and the resentment of America, notwith- 
standing the late successes of Sir George Collier, who has 
wounded the latter in a naval way, though not I believe es- 
sentially. To counterweigh this, I fear Sir James Wright, 
the late Governor, despatched from hence to reassume the 
government of Georgia, whose sudden departure from thence 
to New York, and General Provost's abandoning his troops 
at Beaufort, prove beyond a doubt the pitiful condition they 
were in, and the great probability of their falling a prey to 
Hopkins's squadron by sea, and the Provincial arms by land. 
What a wretched conclusion of so hopeful a beginning, as it 
seems the Royal Army had at least in expectation when they 
first set forward in their expedition against Charleston ;' 
which seems as if destined by Providence to bring disgrace 
on the British arms. 

I have just returned to this place with Colonel Erving's 
family, to whom I am indebted for most of my happiness for 
more than a year at Sidmouth, Exeter, and last at Exmouth. 
The latter disagreeable by too great a mixture of Exeter 
folks, " who view with eye malign and looks askance," as 
Milton describes Satan to have done, all strangers seeming 
to them as intruders on their property, as they consider Ex- 
mouth, and appropriated only to their pleasure : thither many 
families resort on Sundays, their day of festivity and amuse- 
ment. Yours, truly, S. Curwen. 



244 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

TO WILLIAM BKOWNE, ESQ., COWBRIDGE, WALES. 

Bristol, Sept. 28, 1779. 
Dear Sir : 

I presume you cannot in your distant retreat form an idea 
of the great distress the southern coast of this island was in 
during the continuance of the combined fleets in our chan- 
nel, especially on the lower coasts of DcA'^on and Cornwall. 
The flight of the inhabitants from Plymouth to Exeter and 
inland parts during the panic there, spread terror and dismay 
wherever they came ; except to a few, who wished Sir 
Charles Hardy would, with his thirty-seven ships and four- 
teen frigates, meet the Hectors of France and Spain, having 
sixty-seven ships and fifty frigates ; and give them, as they 
phrased it, a sound drubbing : for they were sure of victory in 
case of an engagement. But thanks to the favorable stars of 
Great Britain, at that moment in the ascendant, wiser heads 
governed public councils ; he slipped by them and got safely 
up to Spithead. 

This day we have heard that Paul Jones, in the French 
King's service, has taken a forty-four gun frigate, and en- 
tered the harbor of Hull, and destroyed sixteen ships. 

What think you of Sir George Collier's Penobscot expe- 
dition ? The loss of so many ships must be insupportably 
heavy on our Province, and perhaps irreparable ; however, it 
is a great relief to the English trade, they being all large 
ships of war, and our sailors expert and adroit in privateering 
business. Very truly yours, S. Cur wen. 

Sept. 28. Visited Col. Erving and family ; afterwards 
dined and took tea with my worthy friend, Judge Sewall; 
his company, Mr. and Mrs. Faneuil. From thence I went to 
see Mrs. Gardiner, her husband the doctor, and their daugh- 
ter, Love Eppes. Meeting Colonel Oliver, late Lieutenant- 
Governor of Massachusetts, he informed me of his residence. 

Sept. 29. Invited personally by Col. Oliver to a family 
dinner, meeting only his daughters and his brother-in-law, 
John Vassall. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 245 

Sept. 30. By the " Ladies' Magazine " for August, I per- 
ceive that the Massachusetts Bay Government limits the 
return of the Refugees, or even Absentees, to July, 1780. 

Oct. 9. Took tea at Mr. Erving's ; his daughter handed 
me an ancient manuscript copy of Goldsmith's " Hermit," 
and Mr. Russell's lines on his wife, — both excellent. 

Oct. 15. Dined with Mr. Vassal! in Queen's-square, in 
company with Dr. Gardiner and Robert Hallowell, the elder 
of the Simpsons, Mr. Vassall's lady, and Miss Davis. At 
dinner, informed by Dr. Gardiner, of many circumstances re- 
lating to my countrymen's behavior during the siege of Bos- 
ton, with which I was not before acquainted ; and which, if 
true, proves that that people, like all mankind when civil 
commotions take place, are maddened into party rage. I 
dare say, nothing peculiarly bad, cruel, wrong, or unjust 
characterizes that people at this unhappy period. 

Oct. 17. Papers filled with unauthenticated reports of 
France having swept the coast of Africa, and taken all our 
forts. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

Bristol, Oct. 28, 1779. 
Dear Sir : 

I should not have delayed acknowledging the receipt of 
your last favor until this day, had I not undertaken, by my 
friend Eveleigh's request, to furnish your Reverence with an 
authentic and minute detail of the progress of the British 
Army to Charleston, their retreat, and late (for it seems to be 
shrewdly suspected here, that at present they are in the hands 
and keeping of the French and Congress) dangerous and 
suffering condition at Beaufort. I am afraid there are too 
strong reasons for apprehending that event, it being rumored 
here, and generally believed, that Administration has received 
undoubted intelligence of D'Estaing's destination to Georgia 
and the southern coast, with six thousand troops, and a much 
larger naval armament than Great Britain has in those seas 
to oppose them, with any probability of success, under Ar- 
buthnot. 

21 * 



246 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Should General Clinton, as the papers have lately inti- 
mated, drain New York of five or six thousand troops, and 
proceed to Georgia, and with a slender convoy (comparatively I 
mean) meet D'Estaing, it is not difficult to foretell the fate 
of the American war; but this is mere supposition and 
chance, you will say; the former may arrive on the coast 
time enough to land himself and troops, and send off his 
transports. It will be well for England if he should, for the 
fate of their claims and pretensions on that continent de- 
pends on that single circumstance ; should the two fleets 
meet in open sea, the odds will be so unfavorable on our side 
as to approach the worst consequences. The Penobscot af- 
fair does Sir George Collier's conduct and bravery great 
credit, leaves an indelible stain on our countrymen and our 
Province, at present in a defenceless condition ; to balance 
this account, the British cause has suffered a disgrace and 
loss of equal magnitude at Stony Point. Perhaps you have 
not heard that, but for a misunderstanding between the 
American Generals, Verplanck's Point, on the opposite shore, 
had suffered the same fate. Mr. ***** read me a letter 
from Mr. ***** ^ of Falmouth, [now Portland, Maine,] 
wherein he describes the sufferings of people late in comfort- 
able circumstances, and many in a condition truly pitiable. 
It raised a sympathy in my breast ; I could not restrain the 
tear of pity, the only part of humanity in my power ; nor was 
I a little hurt by the manner in which it was told ; political 
zeal, like religious, can steel the heart against the feelings of 
nature. The succedaneum, or substitute for bread, of which 
some have not tasted for months, was dried plaice, powdered. 
Zeal, for aught I know, is sharpened rather than blunted by 
sufferings, though that and some other letters suggest that 
the people are almost worried out by the hardships and evils 
of war ; many no doubt are those, I presume, who gain 
nothing by it ; of which there are but few except the perse- 
cuted. I pray God to shprten the time of their tribulation ; 
may all soon experience the blessings of peace, and unite in 
thanksgiving with one heart and one mouth. 

Very truly your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 247 

Nov. 3. Dined with Messrs. Simpson and Waldo, in 
company with Peter Frye, Benjamin Pickman, and Richard 
Routh. 

Nov. 16. Visited Mr. Lechmere ; drank tea with Judge 
Sewall. 

Nov. 26. Visited Mr. Barnes and Col. Oliver with Peter 
Frye ; dined with them and Benjamin Pickman at Mr. 
Lechmere's ; conversing on American politics and Salem 
affairs. 

Nov. 28. Dined with Col. Oliver in company with Peter 
Frye and Benjamin Pickman. 

Dec. 14. Dined at Judge Sewall's, and played quadrille 
with Mrs. Faneuil, Mrs. Sewall, and Mr. Francis Waldo. 

Dec. 21. Visited Col. Erving ; drank tea by Mrs. Sewall's 
invitation, and passed the evening in company with Mr. J. 
Vassall and lady, and niece Davis, and Mr. R. Hallo well and 
lady. 

Dec. 23. Received two letters from Richard Ward and 
wife, (my niece,) the first since my absence ; and one from 
William Pynchon. 

TO DR. CHARLES RUSSELL, ANTIGUA. 

Bkistol, Dec. 23, 1779. 
Dear Charles : 

The numerous papers that will go with the fleet, renders it 
needless for me to send such intelligence as I can at best but 
imperfectly furnish you with. There is little, however, of 
newspaper wei<75, besides what is contained in the " Gazette," 
(which does not always give in full, but perhaps as much in- 
formation as is prudent,) little, I mean, of what relates to the 
public. The old proverb justly says, truth lies in a well, and 
difficult it is to draw it up. I believe that of fifty reports 
five only will be founded in fact. It is the distemperature 
of the times, not peculiar to this period, however, (as the 
jaundiced eye gives its hue to every object,) to present only 
the party complexion of the relator ; for all the world here is 
divided into American and anti- American, ministerial and 
anti-ministerial. One fact I will venture to relate, to which 



248 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

I was an eye and ear witness : residing at Exmouth while 
the combined fleets of France and Spain rode masters of the 
English Channel, in sight for many days together of Plym- 
outh, it is hardly credible how the brave, magnanimous 
hearts of the English forsook them ; a panic seized the coun- 
try. The town of Plymouth was, as quick as thought, 
drained of its inhabitants and property, and all the neighbor- 
hood ; the people flying spread terror as they fled ; even the 
plague, or an earthquake, could hardly have produced more 
terrific apprehensions. Strange and unaccountable organiza- 
tion and state of the human mind and body, that sudden 
fear should produce effects more distressing than a deliberate, 
sensible view of danger I It is equally unaccountable that 
the enemy did not land ; for had they at Cawsand Bay, then 
without any defence or works to annoy, and a safe shore, 
with three or four thousand men, (unprovided as we then 
were with munitions of war,) Plymouth, with the docks, 
works, and shipping, would have fallen a prey to the invad- 
ers. There was not wadding enough for one round in the 
garrison. That the enemy did not land and attack Sir 
Charles Hardy, then lying off" Scilly Islands with a very infe- 
rior fleet, viz., thirty-seven ships of the line and twelve frigates, 
with his sixty-seven capital ships and thrice that number of 
frigates, is to be accounted for only on the same principle 
that Ahitophel's wise counsel was rejected; for nothing 
could save our fleet from defeat, and the kingdom from 
ravage and desolation in consequence ; but by an overruling 
Power, whose wisdom appoints and limits empires and their 
duration, this kingdom is preserved ; the wisdom of the wise 
we see sometimes turned to foolishness, and weakness made 
to triumph over strength and courage. 

Since those alarms of two months back, another has suc- 
ceeded of perhaps equal magnitude : Ireland, availing her- 
self of the distresses of her imperious, domineering sister 
kingdom, has raised forty thousand men with arms in their 
hands, independent of Government, and a majority of 143 to 
42 in their House of Commons ; and loudly and perempto- 
rily demands a free trade, which this country has, however 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 249 

bitter the dose, with seeming complacency and readiness, 
granted. It is said the Irish are satisfied, and have besides 
offered to raise twenty thousand men ; but where men think 
themselves abridged of their natural rights, and have, or 
think they have, power to recover them, it will be lucky for 
Old England if the Irish do not proceed to require other con- 
cessions. The former is not in a condition to reject her de- 
mands, or to force her obedience. I will not say Ireland can 
maintain her independence, but there are powers willing and 
ready to support her resistance, and England cannot go to 
war with all Europe. In truth, she receives ungrateful re- 
turns for her generosity, unequalled by any state since gov- 
ernment obtained amongst mankind, — but enough of this. 

I have received a second letter from my friend, William 
Pynchon, Esq., and his relation in answer to my complaint 
of my banishment is truly pitiable ; what he says will serve 
instead of a hundred instances to exhibit to your view a pic- 
ture of the distressful situation of some of our friends, viz. : 
"If you knew half the inconveniences your continuance here 
would have occasioned, it would surely lessen your discon- 
tent ; had you lost your business, all your debts, the fruits of 
many years' labor, been driven to sell your house and lands 
for payment of your debts and expenses, and, thus reduced, 
you still would not freely nor safely walk the streets, by 
reason of party rage and malevolence, and the uncontrolled 
rancor of some men." 

This comforts me, and ought to console you and every 
other sufferer. I remain, dear Charles, 

Your affectionate friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Dec. 26. Capt. Carpenter called in my absence ; he is 
master of the cartel-ship from Boston, lately arrived ; friends 
well at Salem a month ago, when he left. Went to dock 
and saw Capt. Carpenter, who handed me letters from Mr. 
Nathan Goodale, containing gentle hints relating to surpris- 
ing revolutions in property, which in such times of civil com- 
motions ever take place. 



250 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Dec. 29. Capt. Carpenter dined with me, and passed the 
evening; he gave me a more circumstantial relation of Sa- 
lem, its inhabitants, and concerns, its present commercial and 
civil state, than I had received from any one before, though I 
fancy it is somewhat too highly colored, 

Dec. 30. Visited Mrs. Erving and presented her a Massa- 
chusetts Bay apple, which she said she should taste with a 
high relish ; adding, " To that country I feel as great partiality 
and love as to my native land." 

Dec. 31. My young townsman, William Cabot, came 
down from London to visit me, by invitation, in order to 
confer with Capt. Carpenter. Evening at Judge Sewall's, in 
company with Mr. and Mrs. Hartford. Thus ends another 
revolution of the sun. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 251 



CHAPTER XII. 

A. D. 1780. Manilla Ship described. Visit to Bath. Letters. Mr. Wash- 
ington, a Moravian Preacher. Celebration of Admiral Rodney's Victory 
over Don Langara. Death of William Hutchinson. Number of Amer- 
icans at Bristol, and their Names. Remarks on the Theatre. On Public 
Affairs. Advices from General Clinton in South Carolina. His Success. 
Tour to the North in Company with the Sewalls. Newport. Newton. 
Honiton. Kidderminster. Brosely. Shrewsbury. Residence of Samuel 
Porter. Ellesmere. Wrexham. Chester. Warrington. Canal Locks at 
Runcorn. Liverpool. Peak of Derbyshire. Derby. Wolverhampton, 
Iron Bridge at Brosely. Curious Celebration of Gen. Clinton's Success 
at Charleston by S. Sewall. Passage on the Severn from Bridgenorth to 
Worcester. Adventure with a Footpad. Return to Bristol. Riots de- 
scribed in Letter to W. Pynchon. Leaves Bristol for London. Amusing 
Sign at Devizes. Arrival in London. 

Jan. 1, 1780. Went with William Cabot through Clifton 
and Hot Wells ; turned into Merchants' Dock to view the 
large Manilla ship unloading ; her length 172 feet, a prize, 
estimated variously from .£50,000 to X300,000. Took tea 
at Mr. Wraxall's, passed an agreeable hour, conversation 
turning on history, fulfilment of prophecy, and convenience 
of ladies^ pattens. Mrs. Wraxall has been represented as a 
stiff religionist ; the contrary this evening has afforded a 
proof of: perhaps devotion and a conversible humor have 
alternately the ascendant ; at best we are but a very chang- 
ing, uncertain, unsteady compound. 

Jan. 5. Left for Bath at ten, and arrived there in less 
than three hours ; patrolled the streets, viewing the Crescent, 
Queen's-square and Parade, Paragon-row, Pump-room ; saw 
there a numerous company, walking, standing ; playing whist 
the only fashionable game. This city, in gratitude to Beau 
Nash, master of ceremonies, had his picture taken at full 



252 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

length, and put up in the Pump-room ; and unluckily be- 
tween small busts of the great Newton and Mr. Pope, which 
Lord Chesterfield seeing, uttered these stanzas, viz. : 

" Immortal Newton never spoke 

More truth than here you '11 find ; 
Nor Pope himself e'er penned a joke 

Severer on mankind : 
The picture placed the busts between, 

Adds to the satire's strength ; 
Wisdom and wit are little seen, 

But folly at full length." 

TO NATHAN GOODALE, ESQ., SALEM, N. E. 

Bristol, Jan. 10, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

I am obliged for the information contained in your letter 
brought me by Capt. Carpenter, relative to my friends and 
acquaintances. I am glad to hear that the members of the 
Monday Night Club are permitted to assemble without inter- 
ruption. I wish the continuance of it, and an increase to 
each- member of every valuable enjoyment, and thank them 
for their kind remembrance of me. 

You may, if you please, acquaint Mrs. Sargent, with my 
compliments, that being about to write Col. Browne, I shall 
inform him of what you mention concerning her. You write 
me that as I am a friend to America, I shall aways find 
friends there ; that I acknowledge is a most desirable circum- 
stance, but there are other considerations necessary to make 
any spot on earth an object worthy of any one's wish to 
reside in. My compliments to Mrs. Goodale and Miss Hig- 
ginson, and your next neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Cabot. 

Yours, etc., 

S. CURWEN. 

TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM, N. E. 

Bristol, Jan. 10, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

I commence writing, my worthy friend, without knowing 

on what subject or subjects, as there is scarce any that party 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 253 

prejudice may not wrongly interpret and draw unfavorable 
inferences from ; besides, the governing powers in times of 
war, tumult and confusion, assume a liberty to dispense with 
the settled regulations of the State in peaceable times, and 
among other precautions, open letters from foreign parts. I 
fear you are in the same predicament ; perhaps it may be 
right, but it is a sad and mortifying restraint on distant 
friends, and prevents that agreeable intercourse, which sup- 
ports friendship and adds to the enjoyments of life. 

With regard to my peculiar situation, connection and sen- 
timents, I must be reserved ; in general my condition is com- 
fortable, although in England it requires as many hundreds 
as I can realize scores of pounds. Some people who came 
from your side of the Atlantic affect to prefer this country to 
their own, whether it be from affectation or a real preference, 
I pretend not to determine ; pour moi, I wish for nothing 
more than peace and to return thither ; no approaches to the 
former I can as yet perceive. 

A few weeks since we heard of John Adams and Francis 
Dana's arrival at Paris from the Congress : little good fruit, 
however, is to be expected unless one or other of the parties 
are disposed to recede from their pretensions, which Great 
Britain seems not at all inclined to at present. For my na- 
tive country I feel a filial fondness ; her follies I lament, her 
misfortunes I pity ; her good I ardently wish, and to be re- 
stored to her embraces is the warmest of my desires. This 
country is, or might be, a paradise of delights to those who 
enjoy a full purse, and are by education and habit formed to 
relish its delights, amusements, and pursuits ; but for me 
America is good enough. 

I was going on, having forgot to tell you that this is de- 
signed to acknowledge receipt of your two last agreeable 
favors, for which I acknowledge myself indebted to you in 
no less a sum than ten thousand thanks. Great as this sum 
is, I am rich in them, sincere ones too ; but I am not likely 
to lessen my capital from the demands of my American 
friends, you being one of the very few to whom, in the epis- 
tolary way, I owe any debts. Ten letters from Salem are all 

22 



254 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

I can boast in the course of almost five years, when scarce a 
countryman of ours but can count as many yearly. My 
complaints on this head have proved fruitless and vain, and 
have more than half determined me to suffer myself to be 
forgotten abroad, v^'ith a very few exceptions ; and render 
measure for measure, and repay silence by contempt. But 
the tender feelings of the heart are not to be wholly over- 
come : what was anger and resentment, is by age the endur- 
ance of evils ; and, perhaps, a better way of thinking, chang- 
ed into grief. Can you then wonder, situated as I am, at my 
anxiety and distress ? I do assure you the silence and neg- 
lect on the part of my friends and acquaintances has, more 
than banishment, oppressed my mind ; the latter is not a light 
burden, and when added to the former, exceeds my religion 
and philosophy to support. The heart of old age, if not 
rendered callous by vicious indulgences, is tender as in in- 
fancy ; but, to quit the plaintive strain, — you tell me I 
forget de Repub., &c. : I confess I am like poor Faithful in 
" Pilgrim's Progress," ever almost in the Slough of Despair ; 
would it were in your power to dart a ray of hope into my 
gloomy mind. I thank my countrymen for the less unfavor- 
able opinion conceived of me than by some others. For my 
part, I would cheerfully promote to the extent of my power 
the good of individuals, and that of the public ; but with 
regard to the latter, I cannot give my approbation to their 
w^hole system of politics. The present circumstances of af- 
fairs do not allow me to indulge one wish to return, till they 
are a little better settled ; and can easily imagine the evils 
you suggest, which, at my time of life, would quickly over- 
whelm my poor crazy bark ; hardly able to keep above water 
even where the waves are not rough. Please remember my 
kindest regards to all my acquaintance ; particularly the 
members of the Monday Night Club, which I learn still sub- 
sists ; I wish its continuance and increase of worthy mem- 
bers. I fear my worthy old friend, Mr. McGilchrist, has for- 
gotten me ; apropos, it has been my good fortune for a course 
of three winters passed in Exeter, to find a worthy and inti- 
mate friend, who, in his moral, religious, and philosophical 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 255 

character, bears the nearest resemblance to my said Salem 
friend. To him I am indebted lor much useful information 
and entertainment ; for his and the sake of a very few, I left 
that quarter with reluctance. It has been frequently in my 
thoughts to make a collection of the best pieces that the press 
affords, for the benefit of my friends and myself; but that 
depends on contingencies. The execution of that, and some 
other designs I have had in my mind and view, must be de- 
ferred, I fear, to a distant day. 

Our friends are scattered all over the face of the land, and 
if soon to be summoned to appear before the last tribunal, 
they might truly be said to be brought from the east, 
west, north, and south. Present my kindest regards to Mrs. 
Pynchon and all your family. Sincerely wishing you a 
healthy body, quiet mind, and a full purse, which I think 
comprehends all earthly blessings, 

I am, with perfect esteem, your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Jan. 13. Capt. Carpenter, young Jonathan Gardner, both 
of Salem, and a Mr. Leavitt, having arrived in a cartel-ship 
from Boston, dined with me, and passed the afternoon and 
evening. 

Jan. 20. Took tea with Mrs. Gardner, in company with 
Mr. Randolph, brother of the Congress member, though of 
contrary political principles. 

Jan. 30. Charles's martyrdom ; attended service in ca- 
thedral ; young Camplin preached a serious discourse from 
" Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." He modestly 
and laudably avoided any reference to the day. I could not 
fail to notice the difference between this mock solemnity 
here and at Exeter : here, no mayor nor corporation attended 
in a procession of city officers, with their staves covered 
with black, nor was the pulpit in the same grim color. The 
service was read, with singing, as on other Church holidays; 
assembly of an indifferent appearance, far from numerous. 



256 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., COWBRIDGE, WALES. 

Bristol, Feh. 10, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

Perhaps it may amuse you to be made acquainted with a 
few particulars relating to our own country and town, that 
may not have come to your knowledge. About six weeks 
ago a prize ship from Boston arrived here with thirty-six pas- 
sengers, who were suffered to depart, under verbal promise to 
return back again to captivity if this Government should not 
acknowledge the ship to be a cartel, and send back an equal 
number of Americans to Boston or to France. In the event, 
no notice is taken of them, as might be expected; the ship is 
claimed, and as yet sub judice, though it is thought it will be 
determined in favor of the claimants. The American owner 
is a Mr. Mitchell, Irish by birth, American in principle and 
alliance, being married to a daughter of George Bethune. 
The master, a Mr. Carpenter, who you know married the 
youngest of the Gerrishes, and tried to be a Loyalist (apply- 
ing, unsuccessfully, however, for a pension,) about two years 
since, whilst he resided with his wife at Brompton-Row ; on 
his rejection he took wit in his anger and returned to Salem. 
From him and young Gardner, only son of Jonathan Gard- 
ner, Jr., I have obtained the annexed list of prices, which, in- 
stead of a score of arguments, may prove the low condition 
of Congressional credit, and show the exorbitant rate of the 
useful articles of life, and perhaps their scarcity. It is a mel- 
ancholy truth, that, whilst some are wallowing in undeserved 
wealth that plunder and rapine have thrown into their hands, 
the wisest, most peaceable, and most deserving, such as you 
and I know, are now suffering want, accompanied by many 
indignities that a licentious, lawless people can pour forth 
upon them. 

Those who, five years ago, were the " meaner people^^^ are 
now, by a strange revolution, become almost the only men of 
power, riches and influence ; those who, on the contrary, were 
leaders and in the highest line of life, are glad at this time to 
be unknown and unnoticed to escape insult and plunder, — 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 257 

the wretched condition of all who are not violent, and adopt- 
ers of Republican principles. The Cabots, of Beverly, who, 
you know, had but five years ago a very moderate share of 
property, are now said to be by far the most wealthy in New 
England ; Hasket Derby claims the second place in the list; 
and ****** py^g jjj {qy a place amongst the first 
three ; Mr. Goodale, by agency concerns in privateers and 
buying shares, counts almost as many pounds as most of his 
neighbors. The following are persons of the most eminence 
for business in Salem, as far as my memory serves, viz. : 
Hasket Derby,^ William Pickman, George Crowninshield, 
William Vans, Capt. Harraden, a brave and notable pri- 
vateer captain, Joseph Henfield, Capt. Silsbee, Samuel Gard- 
ner, Joseph and Joshua Grafton's sons, Francis Clarke, Capt. 
George Dodge's youngest sons, and Jos. Orne. E. H. Derby's 
Province tax is £11,000, and his neighbors complain he is 
not half taxed. The immensely large nominal sums which 
some are said to be worth, shrink into diminutive bulk Avhen 
measured by the European standard of gold and silver. In 
New England a dollar bill is worth only 2 § of an English 
halfpenny. Pins at Is. a piece, needles at 2s., beef 2s. 6d., 
veal 2s., mutton and lamb Is. 6d., butter 6s. per lb., rum eight 
dollars per gallon, molasses two dollars, brown sugar 10s. 
per lb., loaf sugar 15s., Bohea tea seven dollars per lb., coffee 
five dollars, Irish pork sixty dollars per barrel, lemons 3s. 
apiece, wood twenty dollars a cord, ordinary French cloth 
twenty-two dollars a yard, hose nine dollars a pair. A suit 
of clothes which cost five guineas here, would cost five hun- 
dred dollars in Boston. Yours, &c. 

S. CURWEN. 

Feb. 13. To the Moravian Chapel ; Mr. Washington, the 
settled minister, preached from ^^And being" fashioned as a 
man,''^ etc. The great point insisted on, as usual, was that 
the Supreme Deity, the God and Father of all, or to use their 
own language, " the eternal Jehovah, suffered death actually, 
trull/ and properly, in the person of Christ, or was the real 

1 Charles H. Derby. 
22* 



258 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

sufferings dying being, who expired on the cross.'" In the 
course of these extemporaneous or memoriter effusions, such 
terms and expressions were used that made my blood more 
than once almost forsake its channels ; in truth, I was aston- 
ished and hurt to an extreme degree, and it has caused me to 
resolve on forsaking this and all assemblies of like over-zeal- 
ous orthodox tenets. 

Feb. 16. To the « Wells," over St. Vincent's, through 
Clifton, by Sir William Draper's ; from thence across Bran- 
don Hill to Judge Sewall's, where drank tea in company with 
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, Miss Arbuthnot, their niece, and Miss 
Russell. 

Feb. 29. Took a walk and went on 'Change with Mr. 
Erving ; then a passage in the Bath coach at four o'clock, 
and at half past six alighted at the " Three Tuns Inn ; " 
from thence on foot to the coffee-house in Orange-grove, 
where I remained for two hours reading papers, drinking 
coffee, etc., and received information from John Boylston, 
my countryman, that my friend Isaac Smith, for whose sake 
I took this ramble, was to leave at nine to-morrow for Bris- 
tol ; so I bespoke a seat in the same stage. Passed two 
hours in the streets and Abbey-square among the crowd — 
ears entertained by musketry discharged from the abbey leads 
and ringing of bells, to celebrate Sir G. Rodney's victory 
over Don Langara ; retired to the inn, supped and lodged. 
Gov. Hutchinson's son William died on the 20th instant. 

Bath, March 1. After breakfast I entered the carriage 
and departed with my friend Smith, and at twelve o'clock 
alighted at the White Hart, Bristol. Mr. Smith dined with 
me ; he having engaged himself to Mr. Wright and lady, 
who were this afternoon to pay a visit at Mr. Erving's ; my 
friend and I joined company to tea; at eight o'clock with 
the family took a turn in Queen's-square, to view the illumi- 
nations, which were brilliant, in honor of Sir G. Rodney's 
victory of 16th January. 

March 4. By invitation dined at Judge Sewall's with Mr. 
Smith, R. and N. Lech mere. Col. Oliver, Mr. Simpson, Mr. 
Francis Waldo and Mr. Vassall. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 259 

March 5. Engaged at tea to partake of Mrs. Bearpacker's 
"mothering cake." It is a custom here on Mid-Lent Sunday 
for a cake to be brought to mothers, in conformity to wliich 
custom some females make a large one and present it to their 
acquaintance. This custom continues in Gloucestershire? 
and is said to be derived from Joseph's making himself 
known to his brethren. 

March 6. Dined at Mr. F. Waldo's with Mr. Simpson, 
his nephew, and young Borland. 

TO MR. LAKIN, BIRMINGHAM. 

Bristol, March 6, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

You are pleased to compliment me on my knowledge of 
the state of affairs in America, but really, should I attempt a 
narrative of its present political and commercial condition, I 
fear it would be too imperfect to afford you much useful in- 
formation. So great a revolution in both respects has taken 
place since my departure, so different is the channel of busi- 
ness, so little the concerns that I have amongst the commer- 
cial people here, and so slender my advices about them, being 
chiefly newspaper intelligence, which you know is not al- 
ways the word of Apollo, that it would be rashness to com- 
mit to paper my undigested thoughts on those subjects. I 
strongly suspect the independency of America, or a system 
of political and civil government, will sooner or later be es- 
tablished there, to the utter overthrow of the Navigation Act 
of Charles II., and the commerce of Great Britain with the 
American Colonies and her other foreign dominions, if she 
will be powerful enough to retain any, which I fear ; in this 
case it may be easily discerned that by opening new chan- 
nels, trade will assume a new face, and be conducted by very 
different people, and on quite different principles. 

You propose undertaking a journey here, and I assure you 
of a cordial welcome to my lodgings, to pass your time while 
here ; and as conversation admits of less restraint than writ- 
ing, I shall with the greatest cheerfulness communicate as 



260 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

much as lies within the compass of my knowledge relating to 
the subject of your inquiry. I wish the benefit you might 
derive from my information would bear any proportion to 
the pleasure I shall receive in communicating ; for yoU can 
scarce be more obliging than to afford me an occasion of 
paying in person my respects to him for whose former civili- 
ties I am indebted more than is in my power at present to 
discharge. To your kind inquiry I am happy to answer, 
my friends, far removed from the seat of war, escape descents 
on their coasts and inroads on their frontiers, which their 
brethren in the Southern Colonies unhappily do not. A more 
particular relation I must defer to a personal interview. 

Yours truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

March 11. Dined at Mr. Erving's with two daughters of a 
Mr. Ewen, who had been residents on Rhode Island, but 
driven off by civil storm ; and being told that Capt. and Mrs. 
Fenton with myself, intended to dine with them at Brisling- 
ton, expressed their pleasure to see us next Monday. 

March 14. Took tea at Judge Sewall's ; company Mr. 
Simpson, Mr. F. Waldo, Mr. Faneuil and lady, and Miss 
Russell. 

April 14. Visited by Nathaniel Coffin and R. Hallowell ; 
meeting widow Borland's eldest son John, recognized each 
other, made mutual compliments and invitations. 

TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM, N. E. 

Bristol, April 19, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

The bearer, being acquainted with the state of our politi- 
cal affairs, will communicate more than would be prudent for 
me to commit to paper, should I be disposed to dabble 
in that dangerous business, politics. A tedious, uniformly 
insipid inactivity soon renders every place displeasing ; but 
my removal from hence depends on contingencies not to be 
foreseen. If I leave, I shall engage in a week's ramble, and 
like the father of the faithful, go, not knowing whither ; the 



I 
JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 261 

world is all before me where to choose my place of rest, hith- 
erto unfound, and with no land of promise before me. 

Perhaps it may be amusing to you to be informed of the 
number of Americans in Bristol, who are comprised in the 
following list : — 

Col. Oliver and six daughters ; Mr. R. Lechmere, his brother 
Nicholas, wife and two daughters ; Mr. John Vassal), wife and 
niece, Miss Davis ; Mr. Barnes, wife and niece ; Miss Ar- 
buthnot ; Mr. Nathaniel Coffin, wife and family ; Mr. Robert 
Hallowell, wife and children ; Judge Sewall, wife, sister, and 
two sons ; Samuel Sewall with his kinsman, Mr. Faneuih 
and wife ; Mr. Francis Waldo and Mr. Simpson, together 
with Mrs. Borland, a son and three daughters. I send this 
by young Gardner, who with Mr. Leavitt and Capt. Carpen- 
ter leaves us to-morrow, and will shift for their passage to 
America as they can. Very truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO MR. RICHARD WARD, SALEM^ N. E. 

Bristol, April 19, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

Your two favors of the 5th and 12th of November are at 
hand. You say, that " to the many we have written you, we 
have received no answer;" it is not a little unaccountable 
that of many not one should have arrived to me before these 
two ; for that in truth is the case. That neither you nor my 
niece should in the course of five years take the least notice 
of her only uncle, was in my judgment a singular instance 
of forgetfulness ; that you was a partisan I well knew, 
though not in the rankest degree I hope ; and it is natural 
that she should be biassed to the side you took, and I thus 
accounted for the dead silence through the long interval be- 
tween my departure and the receipt of yours ; but your dec- 
laration has explained the difficulty, and I find, greatly to my 
satisfaction, that other causes than those I suggested to my- 
self have prevented my receiving those instances of notice 
and regard which your relation to me demanded. That I 



262 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

find no acknowledgment in yours of the receipt of even one 
of the many sent to my niece and you, is to be accounted for 
in the same way. 

The Irish, availing themselves of the embarrassment of 
Great Britain, have got an enlargement of privileges, and 
talk of making further demands. That the war is at a dis- 
tance from your own doors, the melancholy reports from the 
southward afford you the strongest reasons for daily thanks; 
may it not be your misfortune in the Massachusetts Bay to 
experience the sufferings, ravages, carnage and devastation 
of her sister Southern Colonies. 

Absence from all I hold dear on earth is an evil, and the 
peculiar condition I am in, increases its severity ; but I en- 
deavor to muster my whole stock of religion and philosophy, 
and with the united aid of both, and a few amusements, life 
is tolerable. I cannot prevail with myself to quit a peaceful 
region, and attempt a passage across the Atlantic during this 
state of turmoil ; should I choose a place to reside in on the 
western side of the globe, Halifax would not be the spot ; 
nothing but the prospect of great gains, which reconciles all 
climates and people, would make that place in any degree 
tolerable ; besides, the expense of living is as extravagant as 
in England, without any of its advantages to counterbalance 
their many inconveniences and evils. I thank you for the 
expressions of kindness and good-will from you both respect- 
ing my peace of mind. Tell your son, my namesake, I shall 
answer his letter soon. 

"With unfeigned regard, your uncle, 

S. CURWEN. 

April 24. This day, five years are complete since I aban- 
doned my house, estate, effects and friends. God only knows 
whether I shall ever be restored to them, or they to me. Party 
rage, like jealousy and superstition, is cruel as the grave ; — 
that moderation is a crime in times of civil confusions, many 
good, virtuous, and peaceable persons, now suffering banish- 
ment from America, are the wretched proofs and instances. 
May it please God to inspire with wisdom and true policy 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 263 

the principal conductors in this truly lamentable war on both 
sides the Atlantic, and give peace in our time. Did I know 
how to emancipate myself from this constrained, useless, uni- 
form blank of life, and enter on an active course, I would 
joyfully seize the occasion. 

Evening at theatre to see " Belle's Stratagem " ; entertain- 
ment " Waterman." I would not indulge a cynical, surly 
disposition, but cannot help acknowledging that I find great 
disappointment at the theatrical performances. Actors fall 
below my idea of just imitation ; to my seeming they over- 
act, underact, or contradict nature ; — a hero is a bully, a 
gentleman is a coxcomb, a coxcomb a foo], a lady affected, 
pert, or insipid ; but gamesters, chambermaids, footmen, in- 
deed, the whole series of under-characters, not illy played. 

April 28. A lethargy respecting the public interest has 
seized the people of this country ; which the selfish princi- 
ples, supremely governing, or rather tyrannizing over all 
ranks and orders, ages, sexes and conditions, has brought on 
them ; they are devoted victims, and so I leave them to their 
impending fate. I really think that neither Administration 
nor Opposition is composed of uncommon characters ; for if 
other men in each line were to succeed these that now figure 
on the political stage, the same, or nearly the same parts 
would be played ; for in the corrupt state of this people, min- 
isterial conduct, such as it is, is necessary ; I do not say ex- 
pedient, for the wheels of government cannot move an inch 
without money to grease them. Did the circumstances of 
things admit, I verily believe my favorite Lord North, who I 
take to be one of the best characters in the whole British 
Empire, would shine one of the brightest luminaries that ever 
enlightened the political hemisphere. 

Walked abroad, and met one of my countrymen, who in- 
formed me that, by a packet twenty-five days from New 
York, advices had been received that General Clinton, after 
two months from thence, had arrived at Georgia ; and had 
proceeded to within a mile and a half of Charleston, S. C, 
before which he was to have opened his batteries of forty 
cannon on the 11th of March ; that the town had from four 



264 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

to six thousand troops within, and a great plenty of military 
and other stores ; that it was divided into four parts by deep 
trenches or canals filled with water, intersecting each other 
at right angles ; that the Americans were resolved to dispute 
the ground inch by inch ; but party representation adds, 
however, that they had no great relish for a patriotic death. 

Afternoon and evening at Judge Sewall's ; company, 
Mrs. Long, of Ireland, Mr. and Mrs. Faneuil, Mr. Oxnard, 
with young Inman and his wife, a son of Ralph's, in the mil- 
itary line, and Miss Inman. 

May 14. Evening at Lady Huntingdon's Chapel; Mr. 
Wills preached ; who took an affectionate leave, being about 
to depart on a converting progress through South Wales. 
He warmly contended against the damnable doctrine of 
Arianism ; the professors of which, at one blow, he con- 
demned to eternal perdition. Pity it is that orthodoxy, 
meaning thereby not right, just thinking, but the belief of 
established notions, under the sanction of civil authority, 
should always, in all cases, and at all times, be accompanied 
with uncharitableness ; the understood characteristic of the 
false church. 

May 17. Public expectations are at the highest pitch re- 
specting the success of General Clinton, and the great ad- 
vantages Government will derive from it; if it shall be the 
occasion, supposing he shall become possessed of Charleston, 
of producing a reconciliation on generous and safe terms, my 
joy will accompany the general acclamation. 

May 19. Nathaniel Coffin is going to Bath for his health. 
Meeting R. Hallowell in the street, he read some paragraphs 
in a letter from his father, Gardiner, at Poole, informing 
of the distresses of our country, discontent of people at the 
continuance of the troubles, and intimating wishes to return 
to former connections with this country, wherein I cordially 
join ; would that that happy event might soon take place, 
with honor and safety to all parties I 

May 29. This being Restoration-day, some houses are 
distinguished by oak-branches in front, which is a mark of 
attachment to monarchy ; and by many of regard to the ex- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 265 

eluded family, at least in some places, as Manchester, Exe- 
ter, &c. 

June 5. This being the appointed day for setting out on 
a tour of pleasure to the North by Judge Sewall, Samuel 
Sewall and myself, I was early notified by a thundering at 
the door ; being awake, I soon descended, and found my 
friend's eldest son with a message, desiring my immediate 
presence at breakfast before departure. Complying with the 
summons, on going over, I found the family up, and all 
things in readiness, but the owner of the carriage delayed us 
for an hour ; at length it arrived, and taking leave of our 
friends, we set forward in an unpromising air ; the morning 
being cloudy, with the appearance of rain, which through the 
day came down in the form of a drizzle. At nine, we 
alighted at the Bell Inn, Newport, distant eighteen miles ; 
hence to Gloucester ; roads for the greater part dirty and bad ; 
grounds fertile ; farm-houses, barns, and avenues slovenly ; 
fences in ill-repair and low. At twelve alighted at King's 
Head Inn, at the last mentioned place ; here took a collation ; 
taking a relay, departed for Newton. Here it came into my 
head to inquire of our host, who seemed to be a lazy man, 
whether his was the house referred to in Tom Jones, where 
Sophia Western's muff was picked up by her paramour ; to 
which he replied in the affirmative, and offered to show the 
bed where it lay ; had his invitation been to see the charm- 
ing young lady herself, I doubt whether my answer would 
have been what I gave him. Here we stopped no longer 
than to have fresh horses put to. Hence to Worcester is 
twelve miles, and over excellent roads ; pleasant hedges and 
well cultivated lands in view. 

Worcester, June 6. Strolled for two hours, viewing the 
cathedral and new bridge, which latter is now finishing, and 
a beautiful structure. The new street leading to the centre 
of the city on one end, and to the bridge on the other, wiU, 
when completed, be a fine avenue, and among its greatest 
ornaments. At ten departed hence to Horbrook, eleven miles ; 
here took a new relay, and choosing the road through Kid- 
derminster, alighted at Bridgenorth, distance from former 

23 



266 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

stage sixteen miles. This town lies in Salop, and for situa- 
tion is most singular : part being on a lofty plain, faced with 
a rock in some spots nearly perpendicular, the ascent to 
which is by slopes and steps in a kind of serpentine line ; on 
the front is a terrace, affording a view of the lower town. 
The town is situated on both sides of the river Severn, com- 
municating by a bridge ; a well cultivated country is in pros- 
pect from the upper part, bounded by hills in a circular line, 
rising gradually one beyond another; the lands interspersed 
with rows, clumps and forests of trees, and scattered habita- 
tions of farm-houses and gentlemen's seats. In the upper 
town are the remains of an ancient castle, destroyed when 
Cromwell took the town, that before was in the King's inter- 
est ; one side or line of the wall to the height of forty feet 
projects fifteen or eighteen feet, occasioned either by the set- 
tling of the ground, or by force of many cannon-balls striking 
on it at once. The effects on the front yet appear in the 
very many excavations in the stone of the size of eighteen 
and twenty-four pound balls ; it is separated by a chasm or 
breach of twelve to fifteen feet wide, and as many long from 
the standing part ; thickness six feet. Cement, not of hard 
consistency, has retained its present state much beyond the 
memory of man. Be it as it may, the inhabitants are well 
satisfied it will continue till a great convulsion of nature shall 
overturn the great fabric of the globe itself. The town on 
the hill has two churches exempt from the bishop, and called 
^^ peculiar s,^^ under jurisdiction of the Whitmores, who have 
right of visitation ; also right of advowson, and can exercise 
all right of ecclesiastical jurisdiction except sacerdotal. 

After an en passant survey, we took fresh horses and con- 
veyance, and set off for Brosely, distant from hence eight 
miles ; to this place arrived in an hour ; took a look at the iron 
bridge. Next stage Much-Wenlock, distance hence twelve 
miles ; a pitiful inn and town, where we lodged ; Shrews- 
bury, our last stage, lying at twelve miles distance. Here 
we visited the residence of Samuel Porter, late of my native 
place, Salem ; but the prima facie view of my townsman's 
lodgings convinced us that it was not a fit place for us to re- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 267 

main at. After hearty congratulations, bid him adieu for the 
present, and returned back to the Talbot Inn, leaving our 
other companions, Samuel Sewall and Samuel Porter, to 
measure the distance through the fields on foot, where they 
soon arrived after us. Here we proposed to fix our tent for 
two or three days; having bespoke dinner, we had asocial 
Ute-d-tete, and after a hearty meal, and a few glasses of port, 
took myself off to find out my other townsman, Capt. Poyn- 
ton, who has also become a resident here, and whom I found 
at a namesake's, living on Pride Hill, so called, within the 
town. After tea I took him to our companions, and all join- 
ing issued forth to see the town and ascertain the expense of 
living, which we found higher than at Bristol. Shrewsbury 
is populous, having several churches ; there is a most agree- 
able walk of a circular form on the banks of the Severn, half 
a mile in extent, and surrounded by lofty trees. There are 
still ruins of an old castle, now become private property and 
the seat of the owner, standing on a lofty eminence and com- 
manding the town. There is also a large building intended 
for a foundling hospital, but not succeeding, is now fitted up 
for Spanish prisoners, when they catch them. 

Shrewsbury, June 9. We reassumed our post-chaise seats 
and departed from " proud Salop," as it is called, for having 
refused the offer of the Crown to make it a city, saying, " It 
is better to be a large town than a small city," — leaving our 
two townsmen to their respective enjoyments. However, be- 
fore leaving this place, I must observe, Mr. Samuel Sewall 
and myself, with Capt. Poynton, dined at Samuel Porter's 
lodgings, which we found well provided ; and the next night, 
being the night preceding the one to our departure, passed at 
the " Gullet " Inn, the resort of all better sort to hear and tell 
news. During my stay within, I heard read several letters 
from Lords, Sirs, etc., from London, with relations of the mob 
that was raging there. From hence to EUesmere, sixteen 
miles, we ran in two and a half hours, being accommodated 
with fresh horses ; thence to Wrexham, eleven miles ; re- 
spectable in buildings, some fine streets, a market and well 
built church, erected about the time of the Reformation ; its 



268 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

tower superbly decorated in Gothic style. Next stage was 
Chester, at eleven miles distance ; stopped at the Golden 
Talbot in Eastgate-street ; house of best repute, large, with a 
handsome coffee-room, ball and drawing-rooms, it being the 
assembly house. This small city is singularly circumstanced, 
having a delightful terrace-walk on top of walls encompass- 
ing it round, in length near two miles, defended with a breast- 
work or parapet about three feet high ; has no guns nor em- 
brasures, nor platforms for unevenness of surface within the 
walls and adjoining grass ; the walk in some places is but a 
few feet above the level within, and others as high as tops of 
chimneys. On the quarter bounded by the river Dee it is 
sixty or eighty feet above the surface of the water ; on one 
or two streets is a covered way or walk raised one story 
above the street called the Rows ; the ascent is by many 
flights of steps from the streets, rendering it very convenient 
to foot passengers, especially in foul weather ; these are filled 
with shops and stores above and below ; the passage-ways 
are paved with flags, the breadth twelve to fifteen feet. This 
city has the appearance of antiquity, though there are many 
very genteel, tasty, and noble houses : I should judge the 
number between two and three thousand'; inhabitants about 
seventeen thousand. Just within the walls is a most beauti- 
ful race-ground. I forgot to mention the cathedral, of no 
great extent and rather indifferent appearance ; it was, how- 
ever, in decent repair, but contained nothing remarkable. 

Having taken a view of the whole place, we took leave of 
Chester, designing for Manchester by way of Duke of Bridge- 
water's Canal from Warrington ; on that route our first stage 
was Fordsham, an indifferent small village, distance ten 
miles. The keeper of the inn, an Irishman, not wanting in 
the characteristic mark of that country, — a bold, unblushing 
face ; after a plausible commendation of his carriages and 
horses, he gave us a sorry post-chaise and a pair of miserable 
cattle ; he yet had the impudence to apply to us to procure 
the land from Warrington to this paltry village to be made a 
turnpike, saying it would be pounds in his pocket, which I 
really doubt. He mistook us for Parliament-men. From 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 269 

hence to Warrington ten miles ; the inn, the " Red Lion," 
tolerable. Streets narrow, dirty, and ill-paved ; like many- 
other towns, with a gutter running through the middle, ren- 
dering it inconvenient passing streets. This town abounds in 
Dissenters, and has an academy for young preachers of that 
persuasion. Governor Hutchinson was to have been buried 
at Brompton yesterday. 

Warring-ton, June 11. Set off on foot for London Bridge, 
so called from its lying in the great London Road across the 
canal, at two miles' distance herefrom. This spot is a com- 
mon rendezvous, whither flock all passengers whom curiosity 
prompts, or business urges, to sail up to Manchester, at 
twenty miles' distance ; or down to the Locks at Runcorn, on 
the other hand, ten miles distant ; or across the Mersey to 
Liverpool, this being the common route. Two boats daily 
carry passengers up and down. Diverted from our intended 
route, Manchester, we turned our course to a contrary direc- 
tion, sailing down to Runcorn to view the celebrated Locks ; 
passed in our passage under sixteen bridges laid across the 
canal, consisting of one brick arch of eighteen to twenty-two 
feet span, and twelve feet high. Of these we were told there 
are sixty-four ; probable enough, including the branches and 
Marine Cut, for Judge Oliver counted on the Grand Canal 
forty-eight. The boats for passengers are fifty feet long and 
fifteen wide, and will hold a hundred persons. Arrived at 
Runcorn in two hours, and supped at " White Hart " Inn. 
Samuel Sew all and myself having amused ourselves for two 
hours in seeing a barge enter from the river Mersey into the 
first lock and through to the canal, we returned back and met 
our companion the Judge, whose curiosity did not stimulate 
him to stay so long in the cold as ours did ; and found the 
inn crowded with great numbers of jolly lads and lasses, met 
to congratulate our landlady's daughter, lately married and 
just returned home, after a week's absence. The concluding 
scene of Sunday, being considered in England as a relief 
from labor, is generally spent in ale-houses by the middling 
and lower sorts, in merry-making. 

Runcorn, June 12. Walked abroad, shaping my course to 

23* 



270 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

the church-yard, where I saw the curate and his clerk ; name 
of former was Sewell. I returned by the way I went, ac- 
quainting my companions, who had arrived before me, of the 
adventures. They regretted my neglect in making noinquiry^ 
nor informing the curate of their names ; but I was loth to 
incur the imputation of impertinence, which he justly might 
have made, in instituting inquiries about such matters, as 
people of this country are shy about communicating to 
strangers. At eleven o'clock, reshipped ourselves on board 
same barge, and returned back to whence we came, where, 
finding a chaise ready for Liverpool, we again diverged from 
our right-line course, Manchester, and struck off for that 
town, twenty miles distant; returning back to Warrington, 
proceeded to Prescott, at ten miles' distance, where took a 
relay. This town is noted for coal-pits and watch-move- 
ments ; from the former, Liverpool is principally supplied by 
wagons. 

Entered the city of Liverpool, so celebrated for its com- 
mercial character ; houses by a great majority in middling 
and lower style, few rising above that mark; streets long, 
narrow, crooked, and dirty in an eminent degree. During 
our short abode here, we scarcely saw a well-dressed person, 
nor half a dozen gentlemen's carriages ; few of the shops ap- 
pear so well as in other great towns ; dress and looks more 
like the inhabitants of Wapping, ShadweJl, and Rotherhithe, 
than in the neighborhood of the Exchange, or any part of 
London above the Tower. The whole complexion nautical, 
and so infinitely below all our expectations, that nought but 
the thoughts of the few hours we had to pass here rendered 
it tolerable. The Docks, however, are stupendously grand ; 
the inner one, called Town Dock, lying in the centre of it, 
and filled with vessels exhibiting a forest of masts ; besides 
this, are three very large ones lying in front of the city, com- 
municating with each other by flood-gates, intermixed with 
dry ones for repairing. The lower or new one has a fine 
wide quay on its outer side, an agreeable walk, being lined 
with trees on either hand ; below this, on the river, is now 
building, nearly finished, a circular battery with embrasures 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 271 

for thirty cannon. Parade and barracks are in hand, and 
when completed will afford a charming walk and prospect if 
allowed to the inhabitants. 

Liverpool, June 12. Taking a circuitous ramble through 
this, to us, disgustful place, returned to inn, paid our bill, and 
entered the carriage we came in, which the driver and owner 
would fain, but for Judge and Samuel Sewall's resolution, 
have jockeyed us out of, designing craftily to shift us off to 
the common stage; but his plan being disappointed, we were 
replaced in our own carriage, with no company but ourselves. 
Bidding adieu to Liverpool, we set forward to Prescott, 
where we took a relay and proceeded to Warrington ; here 
we were detained two hours, waiting the arrival of boats. 
At two o'clock we reentered our apartment, filled with fresh 
passengers, among them Mrs. Dawson, wife of the Governor 
of the Isle of Man, returning from an excursion ; she was a 
native of Nova Scotia, and daughter of a Colonel Hamilton, 
and had resided in Boston. Mr. Corbet, an attorney of 
Brosely, also added no inconsiderable pleasure by his social 
turn, while sailing on an unruffled surface through a finely 
improved country, over hills and dales, rivers and bridges ; 
in five hours we arrived safely at Manchester. Examined 
the ingenious machinery and operations of calico-printing. 
Took carriage for Castleton, at the Peak of Derby, passing 
through Stockport and Disley. The country, as we approach- 
ed the Peak, hilly. By persuasion the Judge reluctantly 
walked out to the cave at Castleton, being desirous to defer 
it till the following morning, accompanied by Samuel Sewall. 
After breakfast, taking leave of the vale, we ascended the 
hill overlooking the town ; the road extends to the further 
end in a circular line, affording a pleasing view of the lofty 
surrounding hills, and a charming vale beneath, diversified 
with trees, live hedges, scattered farm-houses, villages, and 
towers ; the descent on the side of the vale is quick, and in 
case of accident hazardous. In ascending, Mr. Sewall and 
myself chose the safest and most expeditious way on foot, 
not indeed the most comfortable, being surrounded by a gang 
of children who constantly accompany carriages, that neces- 



272 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

sarily move at a slow pace, soliciting charity with piteous 
looks and accents, which from earliest childhood they have 
been taught to frame. At length we arrived at Bakewell, 
fourteen miles, and whilst changing horses I visited the 
church-yard on an eminence, whence is a pleasing view of 
the vale, rendered more so by its contrast with the naked, 
barren hills wherewith it is encompassed on all sides. This 
plain, with scarce a rising to intercept the sight for miles, 
abounds in pastures, grass and corn lands inclosed by live 
hedges, and trees in rows and clumps ; of the latter there are 
many inclosures of considerable extent, and of great height 
and bulk. Most of the best improvements are on the Duke 
of Rutland's estate, who has a large and noble old mansion- 
house, called Haddon Hall, within sight of the traveller. 

The road to Matlock is an excellent turnpike, through this 
delightful vale, distance twelve miles ; the eye is refreshed a 
good part of the way with a sight of the river Dee, a gentle 
stream which continued to and beyond the last-mentioned 
place, where we arrived at twelve o'clock. Dismissing the 
coach, we took up our abode in this indescribably pleasing, 
romantic spot for a few hours — sadly regretting after leav- 
ing it, that we had not dedicated longer time to it. This 
cluster of half a dozen houses, including tradesmen's and 
the large inn for servants and short visitants, as our company, 
are filled with apartments for the reception and accommoda- 
tion of those who resort hither for sake of bathing, to which 
it is confined. Its remote situation (its nearest neighbor on 
one hand Bakewell at ten miles, and on the other Derby at 
sixteen) separates it, in a manner, from all society. It is sit- 
uated on the banks of the Dee, which, by the approach of 
the craggy hills, contract to little more than the bed of the 
river, which flows even to the foot of them. This spot lies 
under a circular range of hills conforming to the course of 
the river ; the side of this range is in spots clothed with 
bushes, shrubs, and trees of various dimensions, interspersed 
with bare spots and shelving rocks, overhanging and threat- 
ening instant fall. In some the ascent is quick, in other parts 
easy, and in the midst of this unpromising barren wild are 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 273 

levels that nature or industry have made, now improved as 
habitations for the poor but perhaps contented few, whose lot 
has cast them into this dreary spot ; each hut being accomo- 
dated with a small plat for garden and yard. To the specta- 
tor on the other side, a view of these singularly situated hab- 
itations is picturesque and pleasing. Just below the houses 
for company's residence, on a plain lying but little above the 
level of the river, are covered baths, supplied by streams from 
hills, issuing under the foundation of houses, but they have 
no distinguishing character. 

Crossing the ferry, of a hundred feet, we found a serpen- 
tine walk, cut and levelled for a quarter of a mile, then 
limited by a lead mine, now working. This walk is a deli- 
cious retreat in a sultry day, the trees on either hand forming 
an embowering shade; it is accommodated with field seats, 
from whence are vistas, two terminating in natural cascades, 
rendered, however, more perfect by art. Returning back from 
hence to end of walk, we began our ascent over slopes and 
steps to the summit of this very craggy hill, which is ex- 
tremely tedious, and puts the lungs as well as muscles to no 
small exercise. About three fourths the way up, stands an 
alcove to rest the weary traveller, where we were glad to 
avail ourselves of a seat for awhile. Having at length gained 
the summit, we thought ourselves fully repaid for fatigue by 
the charming prospect, both in respect to its extensiveness 
and variety. Though we were so exalted, the Fox, as it is 
called, being the extreme end of the range of mountains on 
other side, almost insulated, lifted its aspiring head nearly as 
much above us as we were above the surface of the river 
that we beheld flowing just under our feet. The manner in 
which visitors live together is social and harmonious ; the 
meals taken in a common room, none having a precedence ; 
their mixture promiscuous ; attendance at a certain hour 
notified by a bell. Hither also they repair to form parties, 
as chance or inclination points : some to cross the water to 
Serpentine "Walk, to climb the craggy cliff; others to ride on 
horseback, or in carriages ; others again for cards. Generally 
after supper, cards or dancing fill up the space to time of re- 



274 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

pose. Their lonely situation contributes not a little to inspire 
all with a desire to promote mutual enjoyment, which is sup- 
posed to be met with here in this retired, solitary retreat in a 
more extensive degree than in any other place of public resort 
through England. Here are manufactured neatly polished 
pieces, in the fancy way, of Derbyshire spar, stone, etc. 
Judge Sewall and myself bought each a sugar-basin and 
cream-bucket, edged with gilt pinchbeck, and ladles with 
metal handles of the same, having bought an egg-cup and 
pair of salts before at the Peak. 

After dinner, departed over a fine turnpike, reaching to the 
town of Derby, distant sixteen miles, which we measured in 
two hours, and alighted at the "King's Head" Inn. Here 
we met a singular phenomenon in the person of John Tomp- 
son, a waiter at this inn for forty-three years ; the fifteen 
years immediately preceding the present service, porter to Sir 
Robert Sutton, and the eleven years before that to the Earl 
of Ferrars. He is now eighty-seven, and although somewhat 
decrepit and stooping, carries no mark of age in his face ; that 
still retains a rubicund complexion without a single wrinkle. 
His memory, and indeed all his faculties appear in full vigor. 
The Ferrars family show a respect for their former servant 
by sending a carriage for him now and then, especially at 
Christmas and holiday times, when he is made welcome ; 
and " so late as last Christmas," said he, " I danced from 
eleven to four o'clock there, and good music inspires me with 
vigor to acquit myself to the satisfaction of my partners, and 
makes me, for the while, return to youth." 

Derby, June 16. After breakfast we all repaired with a 
conductor to the silk-mills, for which this town is famed, 
these being the originals of this kind of manufactures in 
England, having been introduced from Italy in a surrepti- 
tious manner by Sir Thomas Lambe, At twelve we departed 
for Burton-on-Trent, thence to "George" Inn, Litchfield, and 
from thence to Birmingham, where stopped at the " Hen and 
Chickens," High-street. Soon after our arrivdi, S. Sewall 
and myself sallied forth, leaving the Judge, reluctant to ex- 
ercise, to entertain himself. It seems that sitting by the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 275 

window, he espied a countryman of ours, resident here, pass- 
ing by ; on opening the casement, the other seeing him, came 
over and remained with him till our return. He called again, 
accompanied by Mr. Elisha Hutchinson, son of our late Gov- 
ernor, who together passed an hour and then departed ; the 
former inviting us to dine next day, promising to accompany 
us to the manufactories. 

June 17. Soon after breakfast, Judge Oliver, being the 
other countryman before mentioned, agreeably to last even- 
ing's promise, came, and in a post-chaise accompanied us to 
Bolton and Fothergill's manufactory, called Soho, about two 
miles out of town, for gun-barrel boring by a fire engine. 
From thence to a ramble modo pedeslri, and afterwards to 
Judge Oliver's to dinner, and at tea Mr. Hutchinson joined 
us ; in the evening went over to Mr. Lakin's. 

June 18. Soon after breakfast. Judge Sewall's impatience 
to be gone hurried us into a post-chaise, taking the road to 
Wolverhampton, distant from hence fourteen miles, passing 
through Wednesbury, where the coal-pits are that supply 
Birmingham with coals ; we arrived at Wolverhampton in 
three hours. The town contains one church, the parish is 
fifteen miles in length, reaching near Litchfield. It is a dean- 
ery, and has a vicar or curate, salary from only X20 to X50, 
notwithstanding the pomposity of the churches. This is an- 
nexed to Windsor. From hence to Shiffnal, our next stage, 
is twelve miles ; thence to Bronckton, a village, three miles 
from last inn, and to Brosely three miles, where we supped 
and lodged. 

June 19. Mr. Corbit, surgeon, coming to our inn in order 
to fulfil a promise of last night, accompanied us in a post- 
chaise, procured and ready against his arrival ; entering the 
vehicle, our first visit was to the porcelain manufactory, noted 
for its fine Nankin blue color : no other colors attempted here. 
Lately was sent off, as we were told by one of the burners, 
a complete set or table service for the royal table, a sample 
whereof we saw ; from hence directed our course to the iron 
bridge. For a more perfect view of this curious and singular 
piece of pontal architecture, we returned back as many miles 



276 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

as the day's journey consisted of; and the world affords not 
its like : a bridge perfect in all its parts, composed entirely of 
cast iron. It is laid over. the Severn, from a town in Shrop- 
shire, called Brosely, to Colebrook-dale side, and adjoining 
a truly romantic spot noted for coal-mines and iron-stone, 
wherewith it abounds. Dined at the inn, company same as 
last evening ; afterwards we all together walked to Surgeon 
Corbit's, our guide and attendant ; S. Sewall and myself 
drank coffee with his spouse. Leaving this house, Judge 
Sewall and myself returned to the inn, where I passed a 
heavy, sleepy evening ; S. Sewall was engaged in loyally 
celebrating General Clinton's success at Charleston, by dis- 
charging a two-pounder half loaded several times in a private 
garden ! The town of Brosely, where we now are, is long 
and straggling ; the houses seem to owe their present situa- 
tion to mere chance ; in general it has a dark, sooty, dirty 
look, — few only of the houses in decent style. 

June 20. Having accomplished the object of our return, 
and being accommodated with a post-chaise, took our depart- 
ure, and in an hour were set down at Bridgenorth, having 
determined to take passage on the Severn to Worcester at 
thirty miles from this ; this variety in mode of travelling an 
agreeable one, especially as the fare is but one shilling and 
sixpence, which consideration has weight with those whose 
funds begin to ebb fast, I having already measured, of turn- 
pike chiefly, almost five hundred miles. Adjusted all with 
the master for passage next day ; the interval between the 
present hour and time of rest was checkered by eating, drink- 
ing, walking, and playing at backgammon. 

June 21. Entered our conveyance, which we found com- 
mon, and for commodities instead of a passage boat ; filled 
with wool and bulky articles some feet above the gunwale, 
leaving us and one fellow-passenger but scanty room in stern 
sheets. First delay was at Brindley ; here we refreshed with 
a collation ; next at Stourport, at junction of the great Staf- 
fordshire Canal with Severn ; at six o'clock landed at Wor- 
cester, just below old bridge. Jumped on shore, leaving com- 
panions and baggage, who, before they left the banks of the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 277 

river, engaged to-morrow's passage to Gloucester, nearly- 
same distance. From boat adjourned to the " Hop-pole " 
Inn ; soon after Mr. J. Vassall entered, we being seen by his 
servant ; he is on his return from Birmingham, having been 
there on a reconnoitring plan, and speaks of it with the 
greatest dislike, as a dirty, ill-built hole. So different are 
men's tastes that my companions make it daily a subject of 
their praises. For my own part I think it deserves neither 
extravagant praises, much less execrations. It is of an 
amazing extent, all its new streets spacious and straight, and 
not ill-built ; here are many excellent buildings, and London 
itself does not exhibit a more spacious and well-built one 
than Newhall-street, though its paving is not of best quality. 
Bespoke beds and supper, and left the inn for a ramble ; 
directed course to new bridge and then to Castle Mount, 
seeming a work of art, of a regular form, agreeable walk to 
the top or flat about eighteen feet over, having evergreens 
around its border. Hence returned back to inn. We partook 
of a splendid supper, which, with other acts of a different 
complexion from the late-adopted plan of economy, shows 
that inconsistency is a common fault among frail men. 

June 22. At twelve departed, our boat more lumbered and 
dirty than before, and passengers of still meaner sort ; and it 
having taken three hours to arrive at a landing within three 
miles of Upton, to which we walked by land, distance passed 
by water being just seven miles from Gloucester. Under 
such ill-omened circumstances were discouraged from pro- 
ceeding further by water, and therefore on arrival of boat, 
ordering out our baggage, and taking, as the sailors phrase 
it, London tack on board, proceeded to next stage of fifteen 
miles, called Newport, where changed horses. Our home is 
distant from this place eighteen miles ; at three or four hun- 
dred yards without turnpike-gate at the head of Stokes, we 
crossed a short, thick foot-pad, who, running out from under 
hedges, seized the reins of our horses, threatening instant 
death to the driver if he did not stop ; whereupon he stopped, 
and giving up the reins, ran to chaise door and was going 
to demand our money, when S. Sewall, supposing him 

24 



278 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

only a rude fellow, raising himself forward, made a push at 
him with his cane ; at which the pad retreated back a few 
paces, discharging his pistol at same instant, and ran off, pre- 
suming he had executed his threat, which was, " damn you? 
I '11 do for you." Judge Sewall thought he perceived the 
wind of the bullet as it passed ; be that as it may, it was 
found next morning. It grazed the moulding, which diverted 
it from a course that otherwise must have entered S. Sewall's 
body, but how his head escaped is inconceivable ; it pierced 
through the lining and lodged between it and leather top, 
proving a slug near three quarters of an inch long, and was 
picked up next morning. Thursday evening, June 22, con- 
cluded a journey of five hundred miles in eighteen days. 

TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON. 

Bristol, June 24, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

I take the earliest opportunity after my excursion of eigh- 
teen days to acknowledge the receipt of yours. I hope the 
execrable mob in London is thoroughly quelled, and the pro- 
moters of it in safe custody, ready for the execution of de- 
served justice. I wish Government may arrive at the bottom 
of this infernal plot, for that there was one, no man in his 
senses can doubt. Through the great extent of country we 
passed during its rage, there appeared an universal detesta- 
tion against them ; though should the flame catch at some 
populous places, there are villains enough to be found ready 
to join in plunder, rapine, murder, and burning. 

Very truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

June 30. Walked to the quay to find a vessel bound to 
Whitehaven, intending, if practicable, a water conveyance to 
Workington, in Cumberland. 

July 6. Foot-pad taken in Bath-road ; Judge Sewall see- 
ing him, thinks he is the one that attacked us. 

July 8. Met Mr. R. Hallowell, who informed me of his 
going to London. Received a letter from J. R., inclosing 
one from R. Ward, Salem, by Isa. White, via Amsterdam. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 279 

TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., COWBRIDGE, WALES. 

Bristol, July 13, 1780. 
Dear Sir: 

By two letters from Salem, one from our friend William 
Pynchon, of May 3, via Amsterdam, I am informed of the 
death of Mr. McGilchrist on the 20th of the former month ; a 
man of undissembled virtue and singular integrity, and the 
most friendly heart ; to whose memory I cannot fail to pay 
the tribute of a tear. Besides whom,, the late ranting patriot 
J. W. is also gone to the former generations. As for the rest, 
all our friends are well and longing, but as almost without 
hope, for the good old times, as is the common saying now, 
except among those, as he expresses it, whose enormous 
heaps have made them easy and insolent, and to wish for a 
continuance of those confusions by which they grow rich. 
Our friend wishes to hear from you and other of our towns- 
men and friends here. If you are disposed to oblige in this 
way, a letter inclosed to my care, left at the New-England 
Coifee-House, London, soon to be my residence, shall be for- 
warded. I am far from being sanguine of essential good 
effects from Clinton's success. Truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ. , 

/ Bristol, Ju^?/ 16, 1780. 

Dear Sir : 

This may serve to inform you of the receipt of your favor 
of May 3, and to convey my acknowledgments therefor ; nor 
do I know any favors more deserving of thanks than letters 
from distant friends and acquaintance ; in truth, I think, Sol- 
omon never uttered more truth, or discovered more knowl- 
edge of mankind, than in the following proverb : " Good 
news from a far country is as cold water to a thirsty soul." 
To be made acquainted with the welfare of my friends is 
among the first and warmest wishes of my heart, nor doth it 
feel more pleasurable sensations than are derived from that 
source. Since my last, the political state of affairs seems in 



280 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

many people's opinion to have taken a more favorable turn 
for this country, but good and ill often succeed each other in 
the whirl of human affairs in quick succession; for amidst a 
deal of good news daily pouring in from abroad, a most tre- 
mendous cloud suddenly and unlooked-for arose and covered 
our horizon, threatening instant destruction even to the very 
being of Government itself. For some days it was feared the 
city of London would be laid inashes, during which the most 
abandoned and profligate miscreants that were ever nour- 
ished by, or have prov^ the curse of society, were to have 
availed themselves of the conflagration and terror occasioned 
thereby, and plundered what the less cruel felons might have 
spared, perhaps murdering those against whom their spite 
might have been levelled. On the day that the petition of 
the Protestant Associators, as they denominated themselves, 
was to be presented to the House, the subscribers were by 
an advertisement of Lord George Gordon, their president, de- 
sired to meet in St. George's Fields ; the reason alleged was, 
that no building in London was large enough to hold the ex- 
pected numbers, and from thence to accompany him with 
the petition to the house — meaning by so numerous an ap- 
pearance to give weight to it, or enforce it more effectually. 
The rabble, many of whom were signers, likely enough for 
the most villanous purposes, for with such the more mischief 
the better sport, joined, making no less a number, it is credi- 
bly said, than forty thousand ; a number of such characters? 
and under such circumstances, truly alarming ; from hence 
they paraded through the borough of Southwark and along 
London streets, at first it is said orderly, but no sooner had 
they reached palace yard than they filled that and all the 
avenues leading to the House. Throwing off the mask, they 
bawled aloud for liberty and the Protestant religion ; and 
now their insolence began, for many members of both houses 
undistinguishingly received marks of their indignant rage ; 
some were stopped and threatened, otherwise abused and as- 
saulted, pulled out of their carriages, and glad to get off with- 
out hats, wigs, with lacerated garments and flesh-wounds; 
whilst many were happy to retreat unhurt and absent them- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 281 

selves from the House for that day at least. The distinguish- 
ing badge they wore was a blue cockade, which the president, 
Lord George, had the boldness to wear in his hat to the 
House, but being espied, he was desired, nay, even menaced, 
and with reluctance suffered it to be taken out. The most 
sober, and many such, doubtless, there were among them, 
retired peaceably and in good order ; but the rabble, by far 
the greater number, having raised themselves into a frenzy, 
for fire you know is kindled by collision, adjourned, resolving 
to plunder and destroy the houses of those who from liberal 
principles had promoted a relaxation of the supposed too 
great rigor of the Act of William and Mary against papists, 
that had been for many months the occasion of a paper war 
on the subject, and excited a real or pretended terror in the 
minds of many who were, or affected to be, afraid of the in- 
crease and prevalence of popery. The houses of these and 
some unoffending Roman Catholics fell a sacrifice the first 
day to their rapine and malice ; what became not plunder, 
was destroyed, or devoted to the flames. In the number 
were Sir George Saville's, a most worthy character, a steady 
whig, and an anti-ministerialist ; but being a friend to taxa- 
tion, and a man of property, was a suitable subject, and 
worthy of these sons of liberty and supporters of the Protes- 
tant cause to exercise their patriotism upon. 

The second day. Lord Mansfield's house employed their 
patriotic labor ; his valuable library, pictures, and household 
goods, to the amount of near thirty thousand pounds, were 
plundered, broken, destroyed, and devoted to the flames ; — 
among other things was a large collection of manuscripts on 
various subjects, of immense loss to the world, it is said. In 
short, as Lord Loughborough, late Mr. Wedderburne, says, 
seventy -two houses and four prisons are now lying in ruins ; 
of the latter, the fine new building of Newgate-street Prison, 
King's Bench, Clerkenwell, and Surry Bridewell ; from whence 
were let loose all the debtors and felons who assisted in pro- 
moting those atrocious crimes, for which they were soon to 
have suffered the justice of the laws. Had they directed 
24 * 



282 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

their aim at the Bank the first or second day of their rage, it 
is to be feared they might have annihilated the books, papers, 
and records : a blow that might have shaken Government 
to its centre, and involved the nation in evils too horrid to 
mention. The third day it was attacked ; providentially, the 
fate of a score or two, and a strong party of dragoons and 
light-horse surrounding the palladium, saved it from the mer- 
ciless claws of these ravening wolves. For three or four 
days, ten to fifteen houses were seen at one time in the cen- 
tre of the metropolis lighted up by design ; and to complete 
this most abhorred plan of destruction, a design was formed 
to cut off" the new river pipes, but, in the moment of execu- 
tion, it was most happily prevented. 

Thus this great city and the Government are still preserved, 
monuments of Divine forbearance : it hath pleased Him 
who saith to the boisterous waves of the sea, " hitherto shalt 
thou come, and no further," to put a stop to the rage and 
madness of the people, and for the present to control the 
malicious designs of our inveterate enemies ; for, that the 
ravages of the late banditti took their rise from abroad, has a 
face of probability. Though I cannot take upon me to war- 
rant the following or any paragraph in the newspapers to be 
the word of Apollo, it is yet confidently asserted in them, 
that " a gentleman lately arrived from Holland has aflirmed 
that he heard the French ambassador there declare openly, 
that London would be laid in ashes within a month." So 
deep was the plan, and so seriously in earnest to ensure com- 
plete destruction, that such situations and kinds of business 
were pitched upon, as afforded the most combustible mate- 
rials for supplying a fierce flame, as oil-dealers, distillers, 
warehouses, &c. ; but a kind interposing Providence stopped 
the devouring fire, and all is now once again settled, quiet, 
and, it is to be hoped, safe. To secure which, and overawe 
the profligate and daring, enough of whom all great cities 
abound in, a large encampment is still continued in Hyde 
Park of light-horse, dragoons, and foot, and are to be kept up 
during the summer ; besides a party (notwithstanding the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 283 

city mayor and patriotic gentry's remonstrance about city 
rights,) patrolling and keeping guard in London, to the great 
annoyance and terror of the turbulent and dangerous. 

Bath and Bristol were intended to have been theatres 
whereon to have exhibited the future acts of the same trag- 
edy. At the former, the Roman Catholic chapel and the 
priest's house were purged of all their effects that fell within 
the claws of these destructive harpies, and the combustibles 
they committed to the unrelenting flames ; but a party of the 
Hereford Militia, and a troop of dragoons, being at callable 
distance, seasonably arrived to prevent further mischief. The 
latter city, by a vigorous internal police taking early precau- 
tions, dispersed a threatening storm ; three or four hundred 
banditti, collected in St. James's parish in this city for the 
patriotic purpose of rapine and burning, were, by a well- 
timed early association, scattered and driven back to their 
dens ; all the well-disposed arming and patrolling through 
the streets for several nights. During this miscreantic insur- 
rection. Judge Sewall, Samuel Sewall, and myself, were on 
an excursion in the country, wherein we dropped on the 
abode of our townsfolks, Samuel Porter and Captain Poyn- 
ton ; the former carrying indelible marks of personal identity, 
the latter of an amazingly increased bulk and gouty habit ; 
their present abode is Shrewsbury. I rather envy than la- 
ment our worthy friend, Mr. McGilchrist, who is now in a 
more peaceable neighborhood, I dare say, than that he has 
quitted, and I fancy without regret; would that you and I 
were with him, resting, perhaps, in undisturbed quiet till the 
last grand tribunal scene shall open, and restore the sleeping 
dust to life and activity ; or, perhaps, roving in the unbound- 
ed fields of immensity, exploring and admiring the astonish- 
ing operations of Omnipotence. 

Know you that the two great objects of American odium 
are now no more : Governor Bernard died some time since, 
and lately Governor Hutchinson, suddenly, as he was step- 
ping into his carriage. 

Mr. Timmins has recovered from a very severe fit of sick- 
ness, and has taken up his residence with his family at Chel- 



284 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

sea, for the benefit of the air. My future abode will be at 
London, or its neighborhood. Letters will reach me there 
addressed to be left at the New -England Coffee-House, 
Threadneedle-street. 

With great esteem, your assured friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

July 16. Attended worship at College ; Mr. Porvis, one of 
the prebends, preached a very ingenious discourse ; after- 
wards I was told it was not of his own composing ; as it is 
not an unusual custom among the Episcopal clergy to read 
others' performances in the pulpit. Afternoon saw Mr. 
Coates, who repeated his son's invitation to tea, and on re- 
turning home, finding no one waiting for me there, directed 
my footsteps to Bank-terrace, meeting a multitude, as is ever 
the custom on pleasant Sundays. 

July 18. From this day we have an addition to our family 
of my countryman Nicholas Lechmere ; supped with him 
and a friend of his, named Maddocks. 

July 19. Just finished a long letter to my friend Mr. 
Pynchon, inclosing Lord Loughborough's speech to grand 
jury on St. Margaret's Hill, at the trial of some of the Lon- 
don rioters. 

July 23. Afternoon, walked with N. Lechmere over Durd- 
ham Down to Ostrick ; crossed over to Cooke's Folly, a 
tower on the banks of the Avon. 

July 30. Drank tea at Mr. R. Lech mere's, and after a so- 
cial tet-d-teie walked with him, and lady and daughter and 
brother to College Green, where joined four Americans. 
Wrote to advise my friend Timmins of my intention to bid 
adieu to Bristol, and make London my residence till I shall 
be no more, for I despair of ever leaving this island. 

August 2. By invitation dined at Mr. R. Lech mere's with 
Admiral Graves' lady, etc. 

August 3. Mr. N. Lechmere accompanied me to the stage 
for Bath, where took leave. Found a female of fourteen the 
only passenger. At Temple-gate were joined by the well- 
known Mr. Heathin, late of Honiton, in Devonshire, with his 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 285 

maiden sister ; the former very loquacious, who without par- 
tiality, seems a compound of strong sense, knowledge, vivac- 
ity, and vanity My attention was drawn to his 

reading the quack doctor's speech to the gaping mob, his at- 
tendants, in " Launcelot Greaves," written by the late Dr. 
Smollet ; he solicited my interest with Mr. Nathaniel White, 
(whose preaching I had attended, and proposed still to attend 
at Old Jewry,) in order to procure for him the use of his meet- 
ing-house on Sunday evenings for lecture. At six o'clock 
alighted at Castle Inn, Market-street, Bath. After tea, tak- 
ing a ramble, met my said loquacious fellow-traveller ; join- 
ing me, proceeded to a long walk in a lonely road, of which 
he seemed glad to avail himself to recount his own adven- 
tures. 

Bath, August 4. Arose at seven o'clock, and joined by a 
Mr. Graves, a young clergyman of Suffolk, whose obliging, 
social behavior rendered him an agreeable companion. On 
the road, about half way to our first stage, a parson named 
Goddard overtaking us, alighted from his own horse, delivered 
it to a servant, and entered our carriage, adding a third to 
our company. For the first half hour, our two Oxonians 
kept to themselves the whole conversation, wherein were dis- 
closed many clerical and academic tales, stories, and anec- 
dotes ; among others, I recollect the following : Dr. Barton, 
Dean of Bristol and Rector of St. Andrews, Holborn, who 
was, according to British mode of expression, dark, meaning 
stone-blind, being of a humorous disposition and great self- 
command, having a mind to entertain himself, invited four 
eminent persons, in the same desolate condition as he was, to 
a dinner, none other being present but the servants. These 
were Sir John Fielding, of as eminent a character in the 
juridical line as perhaps any man in the civilized world ; Mr. 
Stanley, the well-known musician, and others whose names 
I forget. After partaking of a joyous feast, they took a hu- 
morous leave and departed. At eleven o'clock we alighted 
at the Black Lion in Devizes, where, after taking refresh- 
ment, I walked forth to ramble, and espied a sign, for quaint- 
ness of its device here noted. On the sign were painted five 



286 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

men, well known by the name of the '■'■five alls " ; the first 
in order, according to present mode of arrangement of 
church before king, stands the parson in his sacerdotalibus ; 
he prays for all : second, the lawyer, in his gown, band, 
and tie-wig ; he pleads for all : third, the soldier in uniform, 
with a fierce countenance ; he fights for all : fourth is a 
physician, with great wig and solemn phiz, and boluses and 
juleps in his hand ; he kills or cures all : the fifth and last 
is the farmer, with his settled, thoughtful countenance ; he 
pays for all. 

Leaving this place, with fresh horses, arrived at *' Great 
Castle " Inn, Marlborough, at two o'clock ; distant thirty-two 
miles from Bath. This inn is famous through England for 
grandeur of structure, it having been a nobleman's mansion- 
house ; the excellence and expensiveness of its accommoda- 
tions, provisions, etc., are of the highest style. Passed grounds 
wherein is a mount made by art, the ascent to the summit 
in a spiral line of so gentle a rising as to be imperceptible, 
in length half a mile, though encompassing it but four 
times. The mount does not exceed a hundred feet diam- 
eter, nor more in height ; the top is a plain, planted with 
trees, from which is to be seen a distant view of the town, 
consisting of one long street and a few short ones at right 
angles. 

Newbury, our next stage, is a long town, consisting of 
buildings in middle and lower style, decent and in good 
repair ; has one Episcopal church and four Dissenting meet- 
ing-houses. Its inhabitants are avowed friends of American 
liberty, and disavowers of the war. Departed hence at seven 
o'clock, slept at the " George Inn," Reading, a large, hand- 
some, well-built town, principal of this fine county (Berk- 
shire) ; from hence to Colebrook, where I stayed again and 
dined ; then travelled my last stage, London, being set down 
at the Swan Inn, Holborn Bridge, at the end of Fleet Market, 
at six o'clock. After a short rest, daylight still remaining, as 
it did some hours after, I walked forth to view the ruins of 
Mr. Langdale's house, etc., almost adjoining the inn ; pro- 
ceeding forward to Newgate, but little distance, which was 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 287 

lying in a deplorable state of ruin, destroyed by the mob. I 
returned back to my inn, filled with honest but fervid indig- 
nation, which ought to warm the breast of every peaceable 
weU-wisher to order, laws, safety, and the rights of individ- 
uals : sleep put an end to my mortifying reflections. 



288 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

A. D. 1 780. Letter to Judge Sewall giving an Account of the reported Dark 
Day in America. Reply of Sewall. Visit to Ruins of King's Bench 
Prison and Surrey Bridewell, destroyed by Mob. Remarks on the evil of 
French Troops in America. Opening of Bartholemew Fair by the Lord 
Mayor at Smithfield. Richmond Gardens. Elections in London. Sad- 
dler's Wells. Plowden's Funeral Monument at the Temple. Roman 
Coins. Disputing Club. Excursion to Hempsted. 

London, Aug. 8. Engaged lodgings at Mrs. Councel's, 
No. 22 Castle-street, Falcon-square. 

TO HON. JONATHAN SEWALL, BRISTOL. 

London, Aug. 14, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

I have been told by Mr. Jos. Green and his wife, and with 

such an air of serious earnestness as to lead me almost into 

a belief of it, that advice had last Saturday been brought to 

town by a vessel said to have arrived from America, that on 

the 19th of May, the moon being just then beyond the full, 

the sky clear and unclouded at sunrise, and to all appearance 

promising a fine bright day, continuing some time in this 

state, when all at once a sudden darkness overspread the face 

of the heavens, and so palpably thick was it, that candles 

were lighted in the houses during its continuance till three 

o'clock in the afternoon, to conduct the common concerns 

and intercourse of life. A short interval of light or twilight 

ensued, but was succeeded by a tenfold darker night than 

was ever known. Perhaps I am misinformed ; if you have 

not heard of this extraordinary and uncommon phenomenon, 

suspend your belief till better or no information follows, or 

in the former case a fuller and more particular relation shall 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 289 

be made. Time, the great revealer of secret things, will soon 
convince you of its truth or falsehood. I am not myself de- 
termined in my opinion ; the belief of uncommon events 
requires strong evidence ; should this be true, you have astrol- 
ogers, soothsayers, magicians, and wise men enough among 
you to explain its meaning. 

Very truly, your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO COL. WILLIAM BROWNE, COWBRIDGE. 

London, Aug. 16, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

The contents of my last were chiefly to acquaint you of 
the receipt of a letter from our common friend, Mr. Pynchon, 
dated Salem, May 3. I shall now give you a part in his own 
words : " I am pleased at having so safe a conveyance, but 
should be more so could I write with freedom ; as I cannot, 
you will make allowances for my scrawl. I may, however, 
acquaint you that your family and friends are in health, and 
bear with cheerfulness and fortitude the rubs, jostlings, and 
vexations of turbulent times ; they are wishing to see you, to 
tell you a hundred things which might make you laugh, ad- 
mire, and sometimes stare. During the winter we have been 
blocked up with snow; the oldest inhabitant remembers not 
such quantities of it on the earth at any one time. But we 
are now thawed out, and begin to rejoice that the price of 
wood is fallen from $4.50 to $3.00 a cord. Had other neces- 
saries been proportionably dear, some of us might well wish 
for a return of the good old times, as they are now called ; 
and those whose enormous heaps have made them easy 
and insolent, might wish for a continuance of the confusions 
by which they grew in the Frenchman's style, " horriblement 
richest Our worthy friend, Mr. M' Gilchrist, foretold that he 
should not live to see an end of it, and feared that few of his 
old friends would ; he has gone into the vale, a true prophet 
— he left us on the 20th April. His patience and fortitude 
continued to the last ; his sickness and death were of a piece 
with his life, and that you know was a lesson of virtue. He 

25 



290 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

delayed making his will a little too long; some of his preju- 
dices and resentments appeared on that occasion. He gave 
to " the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign 
Parts " all arrears coming to him, being three years' salary, 
and his part of the donation made for missionaries who had 
suffered in these times. I often wish to hear of Col. Browne 
and others of our townsmen and friends there." 

In answer to a letter of mine some time ago, mentioning 
the evils of exile at my time of life, he says, " What would 
your feelings have been, my good friend, if while here you 
had lost your business, all your debts, the fruits of many 
years' labor ; had been driven to sell your house and land for 
the payment of debts and expenses, and the remainder had 
sunk in your hands fifty per cent. ; and that though thus re- 
duced, you could not freely nor safely walk the streets by 
reason of party rage and malevolence, and the uncontrolled 
rancor of some men." A wretched and truly pitiable condi- 
tion this ! a just picture, I fear, of American popular liberty. 
Dr. Charles Russell died at Antigua last June, and his brother 
James, who by lucky captures by a letter of marque has real- 
ized fifteen thousand pounds sterling, is soon to be settled a 
Bristol merchant, and bound in the matrimonial chain to Mr. 
R. Lechmere's second daughter, Mary, whom I think a fine, 
well-accomplished lady. Mr. Jo. Green and wife told me the 
story of a dark day having occurred in New England, on the 
19th of May, such as was never before known ; — in order 
to maintain the common intercourse of life, candles were 
lighted and kept burning. For my own part, though I am 
no believer in omens, I cannot but take this to be a most 
extraordinary and terrifying event. Darkness, in the onei- 
rocritic art, denotes distress, anguish, trouble, loss, sickness, 
death, and the whole train of evils, physical and moral. Per- 
haps the fearful among our country folks may find in them- 
selves a disposition to be reconciled to the thoughts of a 
reconnection with this country, which seems more likely to 
force terms on them than since this foolish, needless, baneful 
quarrel commenced. 

Here, or in this neighborhood, I propose to continue till I 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 291 

shall take my flight to the upper regions, or descend to the 
shades below ; for I am quite unsettled in my own mind 
whether a state of activity or insensibility shall fill up the 
interval between death and the future state of endless exist- 
ence. 

My respectful compliments wait on Mrs. Browne and son ; 
and ardently wishing you and them the highest felicity, I 
remain, With great esteem, 

Your faithful friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

P. S. Mr. Francis Waldo, who will soon be with you, 
will inform you of the troop of New Englanders resident in 
Bristol. 

Aug. 18, Took a long, solitary ramble through Charter- 
house-square, thence through Gray's-Inn-lane to Clerkenwell- 
green, wherein is a building not before seen or heard about, 
called New Hicks Hall, or Middlesex Sessions House, a large 
and handsome structure ; thence through Smithfield and 
Long-lane, a narrow, dismal, dirty street, to Aldersgate-street. 

Aug: 19. Called at Francis Waldo's lodgings in Pall 
Mall, and at Arthur Savage's in Brompton-row, and left a 
card for the absentees ; not a little jaded by the circum- 
ambulation. 

Aug: 20. At Westminster Abbey ; the vergers not think- 
ing proper to offer me a seat, I left the choir, and, like the 
multitude, passed the hour of devotion in gazing at the 
monuments and reading inscriptions. From thence passing 
through cloisters, proceeded to Dean's Court, inclosed in part 
by Westminster school-buildings ; returning back, stayed in 
choir during part of prayer and sermon, and passed half an 
hour in Poet's Corner. Thence to St. Margaret's Church, the 
preacher having just then ascended the pulpit ; I was minded 
to stay, but these church servants neglecting to open a pew- 
door for me, I soon departed homewards. 

Aug. 23. To artillery-ground to view manoeuvres of the 
military association, who performed manual exercises, filings, 
and evolutions commendably. My curiosity, though still 



292 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

active, is soon satisfied ; nor do I find a more convincing 
proof of its increasing imbecility, if the expression be not 
improper, than in this particular. 

FROM HON. JONATHAN SEWALL. 

Bristol, -^M^-usi 22, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

By a letter from Mr. Waldo to Mr. Simpson, the account 
of the miraculous darkness at Boston had reached Bristol 
before I was favored with yours. The story I firmly believe 
to be true, but like many Jewish stories in the Old Testa- 
ment, I take it not in a literal, but in a metaphorical or alle- 
gorical sense. Take it as an allegory, and it is easily to be 
credited : but as this kind of writing is now become rather 
obsolete, it is necessary to premise, that under the present 
tyranny in America, no man there dares write upon political 
subjects in plain English; if he writes at all, it must be in 
dark enigmas, and in this scriptural style I presume the letter 
from which you derive your intelligence is written. Interpret 
it thus : The writer wished to let his friend here know what 
effect the news of the reduction of Charleston had upon the 
minds of the Boston rebels, (or saints, if you like that word 
better,) but he dared not communicate his intelligence in a 
language intelligible to all, and therefore chose to give it in 
an allegory, trusting to the sagacity of his friend, who, being 
a New England saint, as I presume, he doubted not was well 
enough versed in Old Testament allegories, to translate it 
into literal English, and thus it is : On the 19th of May, 
by a private hand, the news arrived of the surrender of 
Charleston, and though at sunrise the sky was clear, and 
promised a fine day, i. e., they were till that morning assured 
Clinton would be defeated, yet this fatal news at once dark- 
ened their bright prospect and induced a gloomy horror, so 
that candles were lighted in their houses, — { e., Adams, 
Hancock, Dr. Cooper, and other rebel leaders went from 
house to house to assure the people the news could not be 
true. This was the short interval of light, or twilight, that 
ensued ; but soon after, on the same day, or perhaps the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 293 

next, (for allegories, you know, do not and need not go on 
all fours,) an express arrived with an official account confirm- 
ing the dark tale, and then the twilight was succeeded by a 
tenfold darkness — a dark horror and blackness of despair 
fell on all. This is my interpretation. Si quid novisti rectius 
istis, candidus imperii; si non, his utere mecum} It is con- 
soling, joro tempore, at least. In my sense of thj story, you 
are not hummed nor misinformed, but you only, like many 
other commentators, misinterpret. 

I cannot devise the meaning of your quaint device in the 
devises, unless the five alls intend five shoemakers, but this 
seems too far-fetched to deserve even the epithet of " quaint ;" 
perhaps were I to see the figures in their characteristic atti- 
tudes, I might make a better guess ; but with my present 
data, I give it up, and wish you would explain it, or if you 
choose to try my genius at expounding enigmatical paint- 
ings, which, I assure you, is but a sorry one, give me the 
characteristic attitudes ; paint it to me as it is, and I '11 try 
again. 

I am mightily pleased with the news of the day : La 
Nymphe taken by the Flora, which must be true, and the 
French seventy-four gun-ship by the Bienfaisant,- which, as I 
always hope the best, I hope is true ; besides a frigate taken 
and carried into Halifax, which I likewise hope is true. I re- 
joice also that Admiral Geary is arrived in the Channel. 1 
hope the eighteen Russian men-of-war will be taken into safe 
custody, and held till we are sure they can do no mischief. 
Were I his Majesty's premier, I would not for a moment 

trust a b of a queen, who could murder her husband and 

mount his throne — there's no trusting such a jadej if she 
means fair, her ships are safe in our hands ; if, on the other 
hand, as is most probable, she means, in conjunction with 
France and Spain, to play the devil, obsta principiis ought to 
be our motto. Nip her in the bud, secure these eighteen 
ships, and her marine power is annihilated — and considering 
the brimstone, besides murdering her husband which I would 
never forgive, has been the instigatrix of the northern associa^- 

1 " Pray adopt it ; unless you can suggest a better one." 
25 * 



294 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

tion, why the deuce should we stand upon ceremony with 
her? Why should England regard the laws of nations, while 
every power in Europe is setting them at defiance ? No, no. 
Providence, or their evil genius, has put them into our hands, 
and all nature will ridicule us if we let them escape. I hope 
his Majesty, — God bless him, — Lord North, Lord Sand- 
wich, and all the Lords of the Council, — God bless them all, 
— see the thing in the light I do ; if they do, I am sure the 
Czarina's eighteen ships will soon be manned by British sea- 
men, and added to the British fleet. Her consummate im- 
pudence in sending her fleet into our harbors, after the in- 
famous step she has taken, and our own security, — the first 
of all laws, — will amply justify. Tell Lord North what I 
say when you see him next. 

I should not have troubled you with my scolding at the 
Empress of Russia, (against whom I have no personal en- 
mity, except a little for the murder of her husband, which I 
think concerns all husbands,) had I not learned when I got 
half down the other side, that Danforth goes for London on 
Thursday, by whom I can send this, so that a cover will cost 
you nothing. 

With very little malice against the Czarina, and none 
against any other of God's creation, I am your sincere friend 
and humble servant, J. Sewall. 

Mr. Curwen. 

FROM HON. WILLIAM BROWNE. 

CowBRiDGE, Wales, August 22, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

I give you many thanks for your kind favor just received, 
and gladly avail myself of your kindness to forward the in- 
closed, as addressed. I have also to acknowledge the receipt 
of two former letters, which have long lain before me, wait- 
ing for spirits to support the ennui of writing a single line. 
In short, to tell you a truth, our prospects with regard to 
America were till lately so unpromising, my finances were so 
small, my family and expenses so increased, that, added to 
the common catalogue of vexations which attach themselves 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 295 

to us all, more or less, every exertion became a burden, and I 
had nothing to do to be easy but to do nothing and care for 
nobody. Better expectations have produced better spirits, 
and brought with them better dispositions. It is with pleas- 
ure then that I wish to revive a correspondence with an old 
and much esteemed friend. It has puzzled all the wise men 
of Cowbridge to divine from what part of London you have 
dated your letter; various are the conjectures, some humor- 
ous and some plausible, but none satisfactory ; so we have 
agreed to suspend our speculations until we could consult 
the inhabitant of this unknown region. 

I thank you for the extract from Mr. Pynchon's letter. A 
detail of their sufferings would give us pain if they were all 
strangers ; how much more then when we have so many 
friends among them ? It brings, however, this pleasing re- 
flection, that we made a wise choice in leaving them. When 
you have collected an authentic and satisfactory account of 
the phenomenon you mention to have happened at Boston,^ 
I wish you would communicate it, with its circumstances, 
consequences, and impressions, unless it should first appear 
in some public print. 

I think you do perfectly right to make choice of London 
for your residence the coming winter. It is the only place in 
which a single man can spend the gloomy months with any 
satisfaction. I wonder as much that more of our country- 
men do not resort there at that season, as that so many of 
them continue there when they ought to be sporting in green 
fields and by the side of purling streams. Sed trakit sua 
^quemque volnptas? 

I lately received a line from Mr. Porter, describing, in the 
most gaudy colors imaginable, the happiness to which his 
situation has introduced him, encom'aging all the world to 
come to Shrewsbury, and promising every felicity that the 
golden age could ever boast of. What strange mortals we 
are ! Some men are always happy where they are, some 
where they have been, and some where they shall be ; and 

1 Dark day. 

2 " Every one follows the bent of his own inclinations." 



296 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

yet we are none of us satisfied with either past, present, or 
to come. I wish I could remove your doubts about the in- 
terval . you mention, for then I could also administer some 
satisfaction to myself. At present I have only that of sub- 
scribing myself, dear sir, 

Your affectionate friend, 

Wm. Browne. 
Mr. Curwen. 

Aug. 25. Visited the ruins of King's Bench Prison and 
Surrey Bridewell, — sad proofs of popular folly and violence ; 
the former repairing. 

TO THOMAS EUSSELL, ESQ., BOSTON. 

London, Aug. 25, 1 780. 
Dear Sir : 

I am ignorant in what light my silence to you may ap- 
pear ; indeed, I am not satisfied of the propriety of it myself; 
however, I doubt not your candor, when I declare upon 
honor, that want of real esteem and regard was not in the 
remotest view a cause. Your obliging favor demanded an 
answer and thanks ; do not say it is too late now, for I now 
offer them with equal warmth aud sincerity. I presume 
Lane and Fraser have long since informed you that I availed 
myself of your friendly offer, that did me an essential service ; 
but having determined not to mention any circumstances rel- 
ative to business in letters, for very obvious reasons, to which 
I have steadily adhered, you will therefore please to excuse 
anything further on this head. Would that the safety of 
intercourse between the two countries by letter was greater, 
but God only knows when a period will be put to this exe- 
crably baneful war. I fear it is hardly arrived to half its 
length, unless this country gives up the chase, for the obsti- 
nacy of the Americans supplies the want of resources. Yes- 
terday, news arrived of the most melancholy complexion. 
Our western-bound fleet, (the convoy and one ship only ex- 
cepted,) fell into the hands of the French and Spaniards, con- 
sisting of forty-nine merchant-ships, transports, and victual- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 297 

lers, including five outward-bound East Indiamen. This is 
the most capital blow England ever felt by an enemy at sea ; 
particulars in papers that accompany this. 

Of the penchant of noble and wealthy ladies to vie with 
their partners of the other sex in the laudable pursuit of gam- 
ing, etc., take the following instance : At the time of my first 
arrival in London, a house opposite Governor Hutchinson's, 
in St. James'-street, was then finishing, called " Sgavoir vivre" 
being a gaming-house of the highest modern taste, perhaps 
much more magnificent in architecture and furniture than 
English America can boast, and designed for gentlemen ex- 
clusively. The ladies' pride being piqued, they bought up 
that which the Governor lived in, and the two on either side 
of it, and though in excellent repair, demolished them, erect- 
ing in their room one in the same taste as its opposite neigh- 
bor ; and to this day these two temples are devoted to the 
worship of the blind deity, — Fortune, on whose altars are 
nightly sacrificed thousands, besides the peace and support 
of many of her foolish and equally blind devotees. These, 
among a multitude of other instances, are proofs and me- 
morials of the expensive taste and diversions of this age and 
country. 

Messrs. Byles and Brattle having been refused a residence 
in their own country, renders my return (who I presume 
stand not so fair as either of them) more doubtful, or rather 
more impracticable ; and though it has ever been the first 
and the last wish of my heart to return, and you know that 
very well, I presume you think a permission not obtainable, 
having received no encouragement on that head. 

Most ardently and sincerely wishing you every blessing, I 
am, with love to Mrs. R. and little family. 

Your obliged friend, 

S. CURWEN. 



298 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



FROM HON. JONATHAN SEWALL. 

Bristol, Aug. 24, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

Since I wrote you by Mr. Danforth, Mr. R. Temple and 
family have arrived here in thirty-two days from Boston, 
from whom I learn that the story of the dark day is literally 
true ; but, as they relate it, the phenomenon was truly won- 
derful, far beyond my comprehension. They say the morn- 
ing was not as you state, fine and clear, but rather lowering 
and drizzly, though far from dark ; that at nine o'clock an 
uncommon darkness came on, without any appearance of a 
thick cloud. Mr. Temple said it seemed as if a veil was 
drawn over them, which he seemed to look through, and see 
the heaven beyond it. The darkness increased till they were 
obliged to light candles, and this continued till three o'clock, 
when it lightened up a little ; but before sunset the darkness 
returned, and the night resembled the darkness of Egypt, 
which might be felt. It was so intense that many persons in 
Boston and the country were bewildered in going from house 
to house where they were intimately acquainted. They say 
that during the darkness in the day, the green grass appeared 
of a dark blue color ; and on the next morning, both the 
water and land were covered with a dark greasy or oily sub- 
stance ; that the darkness extended northward, as far as Hud- 
son River ; and westward, as far as they had heard from — I 
say as far as Lake Champlain ; and that it was the devil 
spreading his wings over northern rebellious colonies, and if 
they do not repent, the next time he will certainly fly off with 
them all. I give you this account to atone for my infidelity 
in my last, and with all the allowance I can make for the 
subtle workings of the imagination. I confess, I am puzzled 
to account for the appearance ; the young ladies, the Misses 
Temple, who were in Boston, say candles were lighted all 
the day in the shops and houses ; but in the evening, they 
were at a wedding-ball with a brilliant company ; which, if 
they don't exaggerate, would put me in mind of the inhabi- 
tants of the Old World, who were eating and drinking, feast- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 299 

ing, and frolicking, till the flood came, &c., &c. They add 
another circumstance which increaseth the wonder ; namely, 
that during the darkness there was not the least appearance 
of fog, smoke, or haziness. I wish you would consult that 
learned body, the Royal Society, upon this lusus naturcB, and 
let me know the result ; for I do not believe all the wise men 
of Boston will be able to explain it. 

I have seen Boston papers to the 17th of July ; but they 
contain nothing new, except the arrival of the Chevalier de 
Ternay at Rhode Island, with seven ships of the line, and 
troops ; upon this occasion, all their pens are at work to 
rekindle the dying patriotic fire. Washington, it seems, in 
expectation of de Ternay's arrival, had made a requisition 
upon all the States, of men, horses, provisions, &c. ; but, by 
the complaints in the papers, the levies went on heavily. 
The plan seems to be to muster their utmost force, and in 
conjunction with the French, to attack New York, and drive 
the British forces from the continent. I wish they may have 
courage to attempt it. General Kniphausen has burnt the 
little village of Springfield in the Jerseys. A paper of July 
6th, says, General Clinton was returned to New York ; but 
that of the 17th leaves him up North River, near forming a 
junction with General Kniphausen. The ladies of Phila- 
delphia have opened a subscription for supplying the army 
with comforts and conveniences ; they have appointed a 
treasuress to receive, and a committee to distribute the dona- 
tions; and all the ladies upon the continent are earnestly 
and pathetically exhorted to follow this laudable and patriotic 
example. If the zeal and spirit of the peasants can again be 
raised, I think this will prove a decisive campaign. Admirals 
Graves and Arbuthnot, it is said, are at New York ; so that 
if the Chevalier de Ternay did not get away with ships 
soon, they very probably, ere this, are added to the British 
Navy ; which would console for the loss of the East and 
West Indiamen. 

I must mention an advertisement I read in one of the pa- 
pers, which shows the value of the paper money there : — 
'■'•Forty dollars is offered a pound for horsehair, or three shiU 



300 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

lings in hard money." Or which is better, " the advertiser 
will work it up at the halves I " 

Yours very truly, 

Jonathan Sewall. 

Aug. 26. Visited Mr. Jo. Scott : — Dined at Mrs. Hay's, 
with James Harwood and S. Conant, (two young Americans, 
strangers to me,) and was after joined by Mr. Thomas Dan- 
forth, the first time of seeing him since my return, he having 
been absent on a three months' excursion to the westward ; 
he brought me a humorous letter from Judge Sewall. 

August 27. Met S. Walsh and Peter Johonnot. 

TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, COVVBRIDGE, WALES. 

London, August 29, 1780. 
Dear Sir: 

Mr. Francis Waldo's intended journey to Cowbridge on a 
visit to his sister, Mrs. Flucker, affords me opportunity of ac- 
knovs^ledging receipt of your favor of the 27th inst. Yours 
indorsed to Mrs. Sargent will go off to-morrow for Holland 
under cover of mine ; having ordered the bearer in case of 
capture, (though my letters contain neither treason, love, nor 
politics,) to throw them into the sea, yours will follow their 
fate. My present residence is not that of the gay and fash- 
ionable, and therefore unknown, suiting me in this state of 
degradation not a whit the less on that score. The different 
views and appearances that are daily arising in and about 
London, are as great and almost as frequent as the different 
phases of the moon in one of its revolutions, and render 
many spots and places a mere terra incognita, that to those 
who have been absent a few years were well known. For 
having about ten days since M'^andered to the further end of 
Mary le Bone, being designed to a distant quarter, on find- 
ing myself there, I inquired for the gardens which you re- 
member to have been resorted to by company, and where 
fireworks were exhibited ; to my surprise, the whole ground 
is laid out in streets and covered with grand and elegant 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 301 

houses, and even beyond it. In this ramble, accident re- 
vealed a secret that has puzzled you and the wise men of 
Cowbridge, that probably I should otherwise never have pos- 
sessed. Some months since a letter was addressed to me by 
James Russell, dated Manchester-square — the location of 
which was beyond the reach of my knowledge, or any of 
those I had consulted, having never before heard of it ; 
chance, however, in this ramble directing my steps among 
rows of new buildings, and directing also my eye to a corner 
house in an unfinished square of noble structures, inscribed 
Manchester-square, this unimportant secret was thereby re- 
vealed. 

I am afraid your sunshine of happiness is a little over- 
clouded by the mortifying advices in respect of our eastern 
and western fleets ; the most capital blow England ever re- 
ceived by an enemy at sea since King William's reign, four- 
score years ago, when nearly four hundred sail were lost at 
one time. The loss is estimated at a million ; I hope it will 
not be more. To this another stroke has succeeded in the 
capture of twelve Quebec ships, supposed next in value to 
the East-Indiamen outward. I observe that Samuel Porter, 
our townsman, has presented to your view a picture in gaudy 
colors, as you expressed it, of the felicity of his situation ; 
that he is pleased and contented, none has a right to doubt, 
for he affirms it, and he is a very honest fellow, and knows 
his own feelings ; but our tastes, however, are various as our 
faces, and he, doubtless, has not made an improper choice for 
himself, though I dare say Judge and Samuel Sewall could 
tell you it would not be a proper one for you or themselves ; 
and were either to paint it, not in high, but modest colors, 
you would find a difficulty in restraining the exercise of the 
risible muscles. Diogenes was delighted to take his abode in 
a tub, and although one may disapprove bis taste, who has a 
right to condemn his choice ? 

Pardon the dress of this letter ; for ever since my arrival in 
town I find myself incapable of application ; the present 
hurry and confusion, to which I have for several years been 
unused, dissipates and overwhelms the small share of spirits 

26 



302 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

left me, and which old age is daily lessening. I am often 
reminded of " Taunton, dear Ned," as the song has it : — 

" My head is astunned with the naise and the cries 
Of their cruds and their creams, and their whot puden pies ; 
And they keep zitch a naise all over the town, 
Ich think that the world wor a turn'd up-zide-down." 

With the kindest love and regards to Mrs. Browne and 
family, I remain your affectionate friend, 

S. CURWEN. 



August 31. To Mr. Francis Waldo's, at " Gentlemen's 
Hotel," Pall Mall ; met Mr. Jo. Greene on Holborn Hill, and 
walked to Brompton to call on Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Savage ; 
both absent. At a bookseller's in St. Paul's Church-yard, 
met my Scotch townsman, Andrew Dalglish, from Glasgow, 
and he wishes me to recommend him private lodgings. In 
the Strand met Mr. Fr's. Waldo, and accompanied him to 
Canon Coffee-House, Spring Gardens, and took tea, where 
were joined by Jo. Scott, and remained till eleven o'clock in 
talking politics. In the " Courant " of this day, find a sum- 
mary of form of government to be established in Massachu- 
setts Bay, to commence next October. It will be well if it 
be productive of as much security as the old. There are not 
wanting those, I fancy, many on both sides the great water, 
who do with me fear the dire consequences of an estrange- 
ment from governmental power and protection, and a perni- 
cious alliance with a faithless people ; many there are as well 
affected to the real interest of that country as the most ar- 
dent Hepublicans. If French troops in the English colonies 
in North America be not pregnant with direful evils, and de- 
structive of American independence, my foreboding fears are 
imaginary — may they prove so. I wish, however, the hot- 
brained politicians there may in time foresee the baneful con- 
'Sequences early enough to prevent them, — if not, woe betide 
the inhabitants ! I heartily wish they never may experience 
the cruelty and oppression that befell Flanders during the 
Duke of Alva's sanguinary tyranny, and may its oppressions 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 303 

be of less duration, should they ever experience them from 
their present allies. The politics of the Court of Versailles 
are not in their nature formed to promote the liberty of Eng- 
lish subjects ; nothing but party rage intercepts between the 
mental eye and a truth visible as the sun at meridian in a 
cloudless day. 

Sept. 2. Circuited to Smithfield, in order to see the cere- 
mony of opening Bartholomew Fair by the Lord Mayor — 
just finished. The whole is a mere rabble rout, relishable 
only by " mene peuple ; " conducted by men, women, and 
children, in painted masks and merry-andrew tawdry dresses. 
The amusements consist in jumping, dancing, riding on 
roundabout horses with legs, speech-making, etc., performed 
on scaffolds ; together with sleight-of-hand tricks, in front 
rooms hired for that purpose ; the ascent whereto is by a 
kind of rough ladder-stairs, actors and performers inviting in 
by a thousand antic postures and gestures. Passages round, 
lined with booths and tents, crammed with gingerbread, pas- 
try, and all kinds and varieties of baubles. 

Sept. 3. To Richmond Gardens ; they fall short of my 
expectations, — a dead level, laid out in long, straight gravel- 
walks, not in the best order, — lined with trees and stumps, 
great numbers, we were told, cut down to serve the King's 
kitchen for fuel. A little beyond is a fine lawn, interspersed 
with trees, and accommodated with field-seats, commanding 
a delightful view of the river Thames, here a smooth, gentle 
stream, gliding along the side of a delightful raised terrace, 
eight feet high, betv^een gardens or lawns, for a mile and a 
half, reaching to Kew House — for the pompous appellation 
of Palace it merits not. This walk reminds me of Sir John 
Dunham's beautiful couplet : — 

" Though deep yet clear, though gentle yet not dull ; 
Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full." 

m 

From this only pleasing spot departed, taking a final leave 
of these (I know not why) celebrated Gardens, and directed 
our steps to the Queen's Terrace, so called, on Richmond 
Hill, commanding, though not a very extensive, yet a distinct 



304 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

and pleasing prospect, having many fine objects in command 
of the eye besides the river, which is almost under foot. 
Ascending to the top, passed the well-known inn of Star 
and Garter, remarkable for its elegant accommodations, and 
consequent high charges, and entered Park, celebrated for its 
natural beauties. 

Sept. 9. Met Mr. J. Waldo, of Bristol, and a Capt. 
Fletcher, both violent Americans in principle ; the latter 
commander of a letter of truce, (falsely so called,) who 
brought over Mr. R. Temple and family. 

Sept. 12. At Guildhall, to see the polling for city mem- 
bers for new Parliament ; conducted with regularity, the 
avenues crowded with distributors of party papers, bawling 
aloud for their employers' favorites, friends of the respective 
candidates bringing on voters, single and in shoals. 

Sept. 15. Charles J. Fox shot ahead of Lord Lincoln 
greatly yesterday (candidates for Westminster) ; the latter, 
it is said, proposes to keep the election going on till after 
some borough elections are over, in order to have a numerous 
host of friends, but he must rally great numbers. 

Sept. 16. To Mr. Timmins's, and after an hour's abode, 
walked together ; encountered Van Coulster ; his shabby 
dress gave me uneasiness, indicating want; he seemed in 
good spirits, however, and inquired my lodgings — gave him 
a card. i 

Sept. 17. Attended worship at Lincoln's Inn Chapel. 
Samuel Peters preached — he is an indifferent speaker and 
composer — how he got there is as hard to conceive as 
straws in amber. After, at Essex Chapel. Mr. Lindsay 
preached to a very respectable-looking assembly ; church is 
not crowded at this season — a most excellent discourse, de- 
livered with suitable gravity, and, I am disposed to believe, 
sincerity. 

Sept. 19. Market crowded with mob huzzaing for. Fox. 

Sept. 21. Election for sheriffs ; all but livery excluded 
from the hall on election of city officers. 

Sept. 23. Walking through Old Bailey, and seeing a great 
crowd, learnt that two pickpockets were to be whipped. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 305 

Jack Ketch, a short sturdy man, soon appeared with the cul- 
prits, one after the other ; the first seemed like an old offend- 
er, and was moderately lashed ; the mob said he had bought 
off the minister of justice ; he writhed but little. The other 
was young, distress painted strongly on his countenance ; he 
cried loudly ; his back seemed unused to stripes ; from this 
time it will carry the marks of legal vengeance, and proofs of 
his folly and wickedness. Going forward, passed through 
the Strand, and returned by way of Covent Garden to see 
election, which had been ended and poll closed for two hours, 
and the elected members, returning from the procession, 
were just entering James'-street, mounted on two arm-chairs, 
placed on a board that was carried on eight men's shoulders, 
accompained by thousands with tokens of victory : red and 
blue ribbons in their hats. 

Sept. 25. At Covent Garden Theatre ; performance, " Beg- 
gar's Opera ; " parts well played, but great impropriety, not 
to say indecency, in Mrs. Kennedy's personating McHeath. 
Bravery, gallantry, and a fearless disregard of death, the char- 
acteristics of that notorious highwayman, which female soft- 
ness awkwardly imitates. Following entertainment, falsely 
so called; execrably foolish and childish. I am sorry to 
arraign even the shilling gallery for want of judgment, in suf- 
fering such unmeaning stuff to pass for a farce. 

TO WILLIAM CABOT, ESQ., NO. 7, LAMBETH-TERRACE. 

No. 22, Castle-street, Falcon-square, Sept. 28, 1780. 
Dear Sir: 

Recollecting a request you made of me some months since 
by letter, I now acquaint you that by reason of absence of 
mind at that time, it was not in my memory that Mr. Lind- 
say, the minister of the Unitarian society meeting at Essex 
House in the Strand, had published a liturgy reformed agree- 
ably to Dr. Samuel Clarke's plan, free from the errors and 
peculiarities of any and every particular sect among Chris- 
tians ; making the supreme God and Father of all, in con- 
tradistinction to every other being, the sole object of religious 

26* 



306 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

worship ; but in the name and as the disciples of Jesus 
Christ, whose Lord, head, and master, all true Christians 
acknowledge him to be. If you have not bought one, they 
are to be had of Mr. Johnson, bookseller, 72 St. Paul's 
Church-yard. His mode of worship, I profess to think agree- 
able to the genuine spirit of the Gospel, and myself to be one 
of his worshipping congregation. His plan, in my view, is 
scriptural ; his worship plain, simple, unmixed with supersti- 
tious, unmeaning ceremonies, as all establishments are more 
or less burdened with. His preaching is instructive ; his 
delivery serious, pathetic, and intelligible ; his language en- 
ergetic and clear ; the assembly, the most respectable for its 
numbers I ever saw. 

Yours truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

Sept. 29. As I was walking in Holborn, observed a throng 
of ordinary people crowding round a chaise filled with young 
children of about seven years of age ; inquiring the reason, 
was informed they were young sinners who were accustomed 
to go about in the evening, purloining whatever they could 
lay their hands on, and were going to be consigned into the 
hands of justice. Great pity that so many children, capable 
of being trained to useful employments and become bless- 
ings to society, should be thus early initiated, by the wicked 
unthinking parents of the lower classes in this huge over- 
grown metropolis, in those pernicious practices of every 
species of vice the human heart can be tainted with, which 
renders them common pests, and most commonly brings 
them to the halter. 

Oct. 6. At Treasury, Mr. Rowe out of town ; no orders 
till the 20th — the delay a hardship ; every expedient is used 
that craft can devise and power execute to squeeze depend- 
ants. Evening at Saddler's Wells ; a variety of exhibitions, 
tumbling in great variety ; among others was the following : 
a lad about six years old, standing on a man's hands, with 
arms outstretched, in an erect posture, turned his body back- 
wards so as to bring his face in a line with his legs, and be- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 307 

tween them. After continuing in this seemingly strained 
condition for a half minute, he gradually returned back to his 
natural shape, keeping his poise without any aid. In rope- 
dancing were the two following instances : a young person, 
habited and in appearance a female to the waist, and like a 
boy downwards, on the curtain being drawn up, was first 
seen lying on her back, and swinging to and fro three feet 
above the floor of the stage ; rising without any assistance, 
she walked backwards and forwards on it ; whilst in motion, 
a whalebone hoop of greater diameter than her height was 
placed on the wire, into which she stepped and walked back- 
wards as before, and whilst in it received in her hand a 
^smaller hoop, whereon were placed two tumblers, about two 
thirds full of red liquor, and whilst she was swinging whirled 
the smaller hoop round many times without spilling a drop. 
The same afterwards mounted a tight-rope, having baskets of 
the size of a half bushel fastened to her feet ; with these she 
walked backwards and forwards, displaying various motions. 
After divesting herself of these incumbrances, she first walked 
as before backwards and forwards, leaping, vaulting, and 
throwing herself down. Her performances on the tight-rope 
were accompanied by a balance-pole in her hand, and by two 
men who slightly touched the pole when it descended below 
the horizontal lines. Whilst on the slack-rope, she went 
through the whole exercise of flourishing colors, consisting 
of a great variety of motions — holding a standard in each 
hand. 

TO ARTHUR SAVAGE, ESQ., NO. 7, BROMPTON-ROW. 

No. 22, Castle-street, Falcon-square, Oct. 14, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

Your agreeable and obliging favor of the 11th instant came 
to hand the day after its date, but a severe cold, yet confin- 
ing me, prevented the attention your politeness demanded. 

I thank you for the kind information it contained respect- 
ing the Roman denarii and English coins ; a few of which, 
if not above the reach of my purse, I would gladly procure. 

If my indisposition goes off" and the weather permits, I wiU 



308 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

wait on you next Monday afternoon. With compliments to 
Mrs. and Miss Savage, I remain, etc., etc. J 

S. CURWEN. 

Oct. 15. Sunday afternoon, at the Temple. Stood for a 
time to take another stare at old Plowden's funeral monu- 
ment ; the figure in a decumbent posture, near the altar — a 
most expressive face ; he died in 1585. This church is a 
noble old large structure, containing many funeral monu- 
ments and inscriptions. Just without the church, and under 
arches, lie in a decumbent posture ten Templars, in their 
military garb and appurtenances, contained within two sep- 
arate inclosures. From church retreated with the company 
into the gardens, always open on Sundays between and after 
services. 

Oct. 16. Visited Mr. A. Savage, and abode there till late 
in the evening. 

Oct. 17. To Oxford-street, to examine some silver Roman 
denarii and Greek and English coins — for which they re- 
quire far more than I think them worth — a Cromwell half- 
crown at thirty-six shillings ! But am not medal mad. 

Oct. 18. Received an order from the treasury for my quar- 
terly allowance. Bought ten silver Roman denarii. Mr. 
Samuel Hirst Sparhawk and Andrew Dalglish drank tea 
with me. 

Oct. 19. Went with Mr. Sparhawk to Disputing Club, at 
King's Arms, Cornhill — Question : " Is it for the advantage 
of mankind, that at the institution of Government, rewards 
should have been given to virtue, as well as punishments in- 
flicted for vice ? " The proposer varied the question, or rather 
dispute, by repeatedly declaring the impossibility of establish- 
ing it, from the unsuccessful attempts of ancient nations, as 
Egyptians, Chinese, — former and modern. This point was 
however contested, as in the instance of the Romans, who 
made some faint attempts in corona civica and muralis — 
allowing valor to be a virtue, and by exempting from taxes 
the father of four children, placing the increase in society in 
that predicament ; and in modern times the French, in be- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 309 

stowing the order of St. Louis, and even the English in some 
instances, particularly the order of the Bath — the late honor 
and pension to Capt. Farmer's eldest son and widow ; all of 
which had and have a tendency to raise an emulation in the 
breasts of gentlemen in that line. The whole of which and 
many other fine things on this side the question, were smartly 
and pointedly ridiculed by a Dr. Dodd, whose brilliancy of 
expression, liveliness of wit, and keenness of satire, kept the 
assembly in almost one continued roar of laughter and ap- 
plause. Some of the speakers acquitted themselves to very 
general approbation, and none failed to receive marks of 
applause. However low public virtue and public spirit is 
thought to be, and unfortunately really is, I could not but 
remark, with great satisfaction and delight of soul, the loud 
and very general shouts of applause to every lively, just sen- 
timent and expression in favor or in support of the virtues, 
public spirit, regard to the constitution, and the rights of 
mankind. 

The room was large and handsomely furnished with glass 
chandeliers ; and the entertainment so highly pleasing, amus- 
ing, and instructive, that I am determined to attend hereafter 
every Thursday evening, when circumstances shall permit. 
The President enters at eight o'clock, and continues till ten. 
When the question has been debated, and no one, after a 
silence of two minutes, offers to rise, he puts the qyestion, or 
rather reads it very deliberately ; the vote is then taken and 
declared ; in the present question, in the negative. 

Oct. 25. It being Accession-day, Park guns fired ; saw a 
great collection of people. 

Oct. 26. Walked with Mr. Dalglish to Hempsted, passing 
Caen Wood, Lord Mansfield's seat ; from thence to High- 
gate ; at Gate-house we dined — from thence to Bagnigge- 
wells to tea — passing home, we abode there two hours, and 
departed to King's Arms, Cornhill Disputing Club ; — ques- 
tion proposed was, " Would it be proper at this crisis, consid- 
ering our successes in South Carolina^ to offer the Americans 
independence ? " After much warmth of expression on both 
sides, though without scurrility or abuse, the question was 



310 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

put ; though the first time declared by the President uncer- 
tain on which side the majority lay, to me it appeared in the 
affirmative ; none denied the President's declaration. The 
second time it was plainly in the negative. 

Oct. 28. Had an agreeable tete-d-tete with Mr. T. Dan- 
forth, on his Holland tour. Dined at Mr. Sparhawk's ; com- 
pany, J. Scott, B. Cutler, and a young Mr. Perkins, late from 
New York. Heard many novel stories about America and 
the Americans. 

TO REV. JOSEPH BRETLAND, EXETER. 

London, Oct. 31, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

I should not have failed to have answered your obliging 
favor of the 30th ult. before this time, but the daily expecta- 
tion of giving a satisfactory reply to your inquiry, (concern- 
ing the state of the air previous to the darkness on which 
your conjecture was founded,) has been the only cause of 
this delay. The young person who brought the relation first 
to London from Boston, being gone to Holland, has not yet 
returned ; nor has it been in my power to obtain sight of any 
one from that country since; despairing of it for some length 
of time, I cannot prevail on myself to delay any longer. 

Your ingenious accounting for the appearances during and 
after the darkness is natural, pleasing, and intelligible. The 
trouble you have taken to commit your thoughts on the sub- 
ject to writing, demands my thanks. The late performance 
of Dr. Priestley, which you wished me to read, I have bought 
and read with great delight ; for when the very existence of 
the Deity, as well as His moral government, is denied and 
made the scorn and subject of light mirth among the young, 
thoughtless, and profligate, in conversation as well as in the 
writings of philosophers and pretenders to cool, dispassion- 
ate, unprejudiced reasoning, I am pleased to find one of Dr. 
Priestley's known abilities stand up in support of this most 
important of all the articles of belief. Two or three difficul- 
ties having occurred to me in reading, (which was done in a 
kind of currente pede,) I shall give it a second or third exam- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 311 

ination, and hope by the friendly aid of ray worthy friend, to 
arrive at a more comprehensive knowledge of the subject. I 
am glad Mr. H.'s arrogance and malevolence, if you will al- 
low the expression, against moral obligation, is corrected by 
so masterly a hand; but could wish the Doctor had not rated 
his philosophical abilities so low ; for should his defenders 
find the least mistake, misrepresentation, or misquotation, his 
warmth will be construed to have proceeded from envy and a 
bitterness of spirit against an author of established fame ; 
nor will the friends to that side of the question fail to mag- 
nify it and trumpet it forth to the Doctor's disadvantage. 

I am sorry I cannot give an answer of a contrary kind to 
my friend's wish, so flattering to my pride, of my return to 
Exeter ; but the increasing infirmities of old age, the ad- 
vanced season of the year, and, above all, the approaching 
period to the American dispute, forbid my leaving the city. 
I fancy you will wonder at the last reason assigned, but in 
truth that event, it is my real opinion, is much nearer than is 
generally expected. I acknowledge I am not acquainted 
with one courtier or court-lounger, nor informed of the delib- 
erations or opinions prevailing in the cabinet. It is from the 
appearances of affairs only I form my judgment. In a 
chequered state of things, as is the case in common wars, 
the sentiments, opinions, and judgments of all men vary 
with the vicissitudinary, changing state of events ; but in 
this baneful, woful quarrel, such a continued, unbroken series 
of disappointments, disasters, and mortifying events have 
taken place, that it seems to me to be morally impossible but 
the eyes of all thoughtful, prudent, knowing men must open 
and discern the impolicy and impracticability of accomplish- 
ing the great end for which this war was undertaken — the 
reduction of the Colonies to the obedience of the British 
Parliament. It may be objected that our prospects are 
brightened, and we are in a course of conquering ; — that I 
deny, for one swallow makes no summer. We have beaten 
the rebel army, and expelled that army out of Carolina with 
half their numbers ; have riveted the inhabitants to our in- 
terests ; they are become loyalists, and have sworn allegiance, 



312 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

and that they will always do whilst you can command their 
estates and persons. This reminds me of the lines in Hudi- 

bras : — 

" 'T is he that breaks an oath who makes it ; 
Not he who for convenience takes it." 

That the Americans practise this rule is true, but how far 
they believe it to be just, I won't say. For proof I refer you 
to Rhode Island, Philadelphia, and those parts of Long Isl- 
and and the Jerseys, relinquished ; there are, besides, many 
other instances ; while under British power they are loyal, 
that power removed, they as naturally return to their former 
condition as any elastic body returns to its natural form when 
the force is removed. That the reduction of South Carolina, 
with the defeat of Gates, will draw North Carolina and Vir- 
ginia, I no more believe, than that Rodney will overpower 
either of the fleets of the combined powers, and of course 
take possession of some of their islands in the West Indies, 
which nobody dreams of. 

The situation of this country respecting neutral powers, is 
alarming ; should Portugal declare against us, we shall not 
have a port on the sea-coast of this terrestrial globe to carry 
our prisoners into out of our own dominions, whilst all the 
nations far and near shelter and protect our enemies ; and 
that she is on the point of forsaking our alliance, is but too 
probable. K Great Britain shall retain her rank among the 
great nations of Europe, and a respectable part of her for- 
eign possessions, the miracle of her salvation will be as great 
and auspicious as the deliverance of the children of Israel 
from the oppressive power of Pharaoh and his hosts when 
they stood trembling on the banks of the Red Sea, just be- 
fore it opened by Divine command to let them pass through, 
and thereby escape his power. Could my prayers and tears 
prevail, a plenty should not be wanting to save our country 
from utter ruin, to which I fear this once happy, favored isle 
is hastening by large strides. 

Please make my compliments to such acquaintances as you 
know I did and ought to esteem, and believe me very truly, 

Your friend, S. Curwen. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 313 



CHAPTER XIV. 

A. D. 1 780. Visit to Parliament House. Ladies' Disputing Society. Guild- 
hall Meeting. Lord Mayor's Day. Chancery Court. Essex House 
Chapel. Rev. Mr. Lindsay. Carlisle House. Montague House. British 
Museum. Lottery Drawing at Guildhall. Disputing Club. Affair of 
Major Andre. Mr. Copley's Picture-Room. Painting of Death of Lord 
Chatham, etc. 

London^ Nov. 1, 1780. Went to Parliament House, through 
Court of Requests to lobby of House of Commons ; thence 
to passage to the House of Lords ; the crowd in both great. 
I could gain no admittance. I saw Lord George Germain 
for the first time ; a large, stout, raw-boned man. Met Mr. 
R. Temple and family in the passage to the Lords, waiting 
to see Mr. Querme of the black rod ; questioned him about 
the state of the air in New England previous to the mid-day 
darkness in May last year ; he remembered but little about 
that event, or declined to say much about it. In clearing 
the House to go to the Lords to attend the King's acceptance 
of their Speaker, and hear his Speech from the throne, I was 
drawn away, when otherwise I might have seen Lord North, 
that for the space of five years, my residence in England, I 
have not hitherto been favored with. 

Nov. 4. Accompanied Mr. Dalglish to La Belle Assemble, 
or Ladies' Disputing Society. The question proposed was: 
" Would it not be prudent and proper, considering the great 
demand for public supplies, and the difficulty of raising them, 
to lay a tax on old bachelors ? " The lady who first spoke, 
moved to alter the question and include old maids, which 
was objected to by a fine young lady, who answered in a 
lively, pleasing manner ; her objection was, however, over- 
ruled by a vote put by the President. Question then stood 

27 



314 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

as including old maids. Twelve female speakers stood forth 
in succession, and the question was carried in the affirmative. 
There were many excellent thoughts expressed and some 
witty ones ; some acquitted themselves to the approbation 
of the company. A few, through diffidence or forgetfulness, 
stopped short in mid-race, and sat down, unable to proceed ; 
these met with polite and kind indulgence, and were clapped 
by way of encouragement. 

Nov. 8. Towards Guildhall meeting ; great crowds to view 
the preparations for to-morrow, when the Mayor is to be 
sworn in and invested with the regalia of the chief magis- 
tracy. The floor of the hall is raised, half of the lower part 
partitioned off" and inclosed for the entertainment of the Lord 
Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, with their guests. 
In the central line, through the whole length, are hung three 
noble chandeliers, and round the walls, in festoons, are placed 
small lamps of different colors. The lady mayoress' draw- 
ing-room is also adorned in the same manner, and a music- 
gallery built up for the present occasion. 

Nov. 9. Lord Mayor's day. My Lord goes attended in a 
pompous procession from Guildhall to Queenhithe Stairs, and 
thence in the city barge, gaudily decorated, by water to 
Whitehall Stairs, from whence he rides in a coach to West- 
minster Hall, to be sworn into his new office by one of the 
barons of the Exchequer. He returns by water to Blackfriars 
Bridge Stairs, where he lands and goes in city stage-coach to 
Guildhall, to partake of the banquet there provided, and pass 
the remainder of the day in festivity, accompanied by city 
councils, sheriffs, and other officers. Streets lined with crowds, 
besides company-stands or tents erected in Cheapside, on 
both sides as far as King-street, leading to Guildhall. A man 
in complete armor attends the armorer's company on horse- 
back, with such a weight of iron as renders his duty a heavy 
and fatiguing one. Called on by Samuel Sparhawk, to 
accompany me to a friend's house on Ludgate Hill, for an 
advantageous sight of the procession, but being too early, 
continued our walk to the Park, where we met Mr. Clarke 
(father-in-law of Mr. Copley) for the first time since my re- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 315 

turn to London ; he kindly welcomed me back, and invited 
me to renew my visits at his house. 

TO HON. JONATHAN SEWALL, BRISTOL. 

London, Nov. 19, 1780. 
Dear Sir : 

The delay to answer your favor of August 24, arose solely 
from successive disappointments in my endeavors to obtain 
a true and intelligible relation of the state of the air immedi- 
ately preceding the darkness that covered the face of the 
heavens on the 19th of last May ; the knowledge of this cir- 
cumstance seems necessary in order to assign a strictly phil- 
osophical reason for it. As the fact at present stands, all 
reasoning about it depends on the truth of hypotheses ; my 
philosophical friend, Mr. Bretland, of Exeter, has sent the fol- 
lowing conjectural account of its cause, which I shall tran- 
scribe for your amusement, and doubt not you will think it 
both ingenious and probable. 

" The uncommon phenomenon of which you have favored 
me with an account, is deserving the attention of philoso- 
phers : the previous circumstances of the atmosphere where 
it happened, seem necessary to enable me to give a satisfac- 
tory explication of its causes. If I may be allowed to con- 
jecture, I suppose that before it came on, there had been 
much dry and warm weather, and an extensive stagnation in 
the air. If these were the previous circumstances, it may, I 
think, be accounted for by supposing that the air having been 
very much dried, and the putrefaction of lakes and vegetable 
substances having become very great and extensive, there 
was a copious ascent of vapors, which are well known to 
have frequently a blue or purple tinge, and at the same time 
not to form themselves into clouds sufficiently dense to ob- 
struct the passage of the rays of light, or wholly interrupt 
the view of objects between which and the observer's eye 
they may chance to be situated, though dense enough to re- 
flect a very large proportion of the rays of light from the 
upper surface, and sufficiently colored to tinge the rays that 
pass through them, and so communicate their own color to 



316 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

the objects on which these rays fell. Perhaps you may more 
clearly apprehend my meaning by an example. Take a 
spectacle-glass, of deep purple color, and look through it at 
an object, and you will find that you can see the object dis- 
tinctly ; and let the light shine through it upon an object, 
and you will observe the object but faintly illuminated, and 
to receive in some degree the color of the glass. Now the 
greasy substance that fell in the night, seems to have formed 
during part of the day a vast spectacle-glass, as I may call 
it, through which the heavens were visible, and from the rays 
passing through which, the glass received a blue or purple 
tinge. The light that came through that immensely large 
glass was so little that a great darkness was occasioned by 
the want of those inconceivably more numerous rays that 
were reflected by the upper surface of the great spectacle- 
glass, and had no object interposed, would have fallen as 
usual on the earth's surface. If the boundaries of the vast 
spectacle-glass had been discoverable, the people of Boston 
would have perceived that there was a vast cloud hanging 
over them ; but as they looked through a medium, the limits 
of which they could not perceive, they were not able to dis- 
cover any cloud, but as Mr. Temple justly remarked, the 
heavens seemed to be covered only with a large transparent 
veil." 

So far my friend. I could wish it were possible to procure 
a just account of this necessary circumstance in order to 
ascertain the true cause of so singular a phenomenon, but 
this I fear is not obtainable. How great was my disappoint- 
ment at meeting your informant a few days since in the lobby 
of the House of Lords, where I had some conversation with 
him on the subject, but to no purpose, he I fancy not having 
examined it with a philosopher's attention, or even puzzled 
his head to investigate natural causes. 

Much greater effects might have been expected from the 
almost miraculous success of Lord Cornwall is, than we have 
now reason to expect ; but knowing my views of things are 
very different from yours, I will not trouble you with my 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 317 

foreboding fears, and shall bid adieu to the subject, which I 
never consider without reluctance. 

Yours, truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

Nov. 11. Entered Chancery Court, the Chancellor sitting 
as he, or the Master of the Rolls when he presides, always 
does, with hat on, taking minutes of the case, as is custom- 
ary in all thecourts for Judges to do. 

Nov. 12. Attended worship at Essex House Chapel ; Mr. 
Lindsay preached. In mid-service, a well-dressed Scotch 
lady entered the pew wherein a gentleman and myself were 
sitting. After service, she inquired of me if the preacher did 
not deny the divinity of Christ, or rather, she affirmed that 
he did ; adding, she never heard it so plainly declared in pub- 
lic before ; to which I assented, telling her this congregation 
was set up professedly on Unitarian principles ; disavowing 
all other objects of religious worship and adoration, but the 
supreme, everlasting God, the Father and liord of the uni- 
verse, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ; who, 
in the text, is declared to be the Son of the everlasting God. 
The settled members hold themselves the disciples of Christ, 
and members of that body of which He is head. She further 
added, that Mr. L. was a Socinian ; which I neither was dis- 
posed nor could I deny, referring her to himself for a justifi- 
cation of his principles, as far as he could make it satisfac- 
tory to her, if her curiosity or wishes led her to make further 
inquiries ; giving her a short relation of his conduct with 
respect to his forsaking the Church of England, whereof he 
was a settled minister seven years ago ; but his scruples in 
relation to the divinity of Christ had forced him to relinquish 
a valuable living, and lucrative, honorable prospects in that 
establishment, for an uncertain support among those of his 
own more liberal sentiments ; and his integrity had been 
rewarded here by this society. She seemed disposed to 
lengthen our conversation, but having said all I had proposed 
to impart at present, took a sudden leave. 

After tea, called on Mr. Dalglish, whom, with his friend, I 

27* 



318 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

'accompanied in a coach to " Carlisle House," at a Sunday- 
evening entertainment, called the Promenade, instituted in 
lieu of public amusement; and to compensate for twelve 
tedious hours' interval laid under an interdict by the laws 
of the country, yet unrepealed formally by the legislature, 
though effectually so in the houses of the gi-eat and wealthy, 
from whence religion and charity are but too generally ban- 
ished. The employment of the company is simply walking 
through the rooms ; being allowed tea, coffee, chocolate, lem- 
onade, orgeat, negus, milk, &c. ; admission by ticket, cost, 
three shillings ; dress, decent, full not required ; some in 
boots ; one carelessly in spurs happening to catch a lady's 
flounce, he was obliged to apologize and take them off. The 
ladies were rigged out in gaudy attire, attended by bucks, 
bloods, and maccaronies, though it is also resorted to by per- 
sons of irreproachable character : among the wheat will be 
tares. The arrangement of the house is as follows : From 
the vestibule where the tickets are received, the entrance is 
through a short passage into the first room, of a moderate 
size, covered with carpets, and furnished with wooden chairs 
and seats in Chinese taste ; through this the company passes 
to another of a larger size, furnished and accommodated as 
the former ; passing this, you enter the long-room, about 
eighty feet by forty ; this is the largest, and lighted with 
glass chandeliers and branches fixed to side-walls, against 
which stand sofas covered with silk, — floors carpeted. 
Hence, tending to the left, you cross the hall, and enter the 
wilderness or grotto, having natural evergreens planted round 
the walls ; the centre an oblong square, about twenty-five 
feet long and fifteen broad, fenced with an open railing, a 
few shrubs interspersed, flowering moss and grass ; in one of 
the angles is a natural well, with a living spring, which the 
attendant told me was mineral. Fronting the entrance, in 
the centre, at the further end is a cave cased with petrifac- 
tions, stones artificially cut into resemblance of the former, 
and spars, with here and there a dim lamp so placed as to 
afford but an imperfect sight of surrounding objects. To the 
top of the arch leading to the cave, is an ascent of two 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 319 

flights of steps on each hand, and over it a room not unlike 
in form the cave below, painted in modern style in oval com- 
partments, containing hieroglyphics and ancient stories ; on 
the same elevation is a narrow gallery, continued on either 
side to about half the length of room, fronted near three feet 
high with an open Chinese fence or jailing : this room is 
about fifty feet deep by thirty wide, lighted as the others with 
variegated lamps, but rather dim ; next enter into two tea- 
rooms, each with tables for forty sets or parties. 

So far for my imperfect description of this house, wherein 
the well-known Mrs. Cornelly used to accommodate the no- 
bility, etc., with masquerades and coteries. Dress of the la- 
dies differed widely ;. one part swept their track by long trails, 
the other by an enormous size of hoops and petticoats. The 
company usually resorting there about seven hundred, as 
the ticket receiver told me; — this evening the house was 
thronged with a good thousand. The rooms were filled, so 
that we could scarce pass without jostling, interfering, and 
elbowing ; for my own part, being old, small, and infirm, I 
received more than a score of full butt rencounters with fe- 
males ; — whether provision was not made for so large a com- 
pany, or whatever the cause may be, it was full two hours 
before I could procure a dish of tea, after fifteen vain at- 
tempts, nor was I singular ; and when served, it was in a 
slovenly manner on a dirty tea-stand. I never saw a place 
of public resort where the company was treated with so little 
respect by servants ; even common tea-houses, whose charac- 
ter is far humbler, as " Bagnigge Wells," " White Conduit 
House," " Dog and Duck," etc., are in this respect preferable. 
It would be treating " Ranelagh " with great indignity to 
bring it into comparison, with this which is designed to sup- 
ply its place during the long vacation of that fashionable re- 
sort ; nor are Vauxhall Gardens less than a thousand times 
beyond this in every eligible circumstance, unless I saw it 
under peculiar disadvantages. 

Met Peter Frye and young William Eppes there ; also saw 
the Duke of Queensbury, who I was told is a never-failing 
attendant on places of dissipation, which his seeming age 



320 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

should, one might think, restrain him from such juvenile 
amusements ; but old habits are strong, and too powerful to 
be resisted when long indulged. Tired of this scene, 1 took 
myself off at the early hour of twelve, and bidding adieu to 
Carlisle House, after a few egaremens arrived with no small 
content at my own lodgings. 

Nov. 14. While rambling, Montague House came in 
view ; it occurred to me to take another view of the Mu- 
seum ; I entered and applied to Dr. Harper, the under-libra- 
rian, who referred me to the ticket-porter for admission the 
following day at eleven o'clock. Arriving at home, Wm. 
Cabot drank tea with me ; S. Sparhawk came in afterwards, 
and abode two hours ; from whom I heard the first account 
of Arnold's intentional withdrawing himself and four or five 
thousand troops under his command from Congressional ser- 
vice to the Royal standard at New York ; the failure of this 
scheme of treachery, and his lucky escape from his enemies' 
hands. From him also the relation of the seizure of Mr. 
Laurens' papers, late President of the Congress, and now a 
State prisoner in the Tower ; giving an account of the des- 
perate situation of their affairs, with complaints of failure of 
their resources, and their inability to support the war any 
longer without loans from Holland, France, or Spain. The 
above comes from Benjamin Thompson,^ a native of Massa- 
chusetts, (formerly an apprentice to my next-door neighbor 
in Salem, Mr. John Appleton, an importer of British goods,) 
now Under-Secretary in the American Department. 

Nov. 15. Mr. Snelson calling at my lodgings by accident, 
I told him of my intention of visiting the British Museum, 
and took him with me. Dr. Gifford, the librarian, indulged 
me with the admittance of my companion without a ticket. 
The company numerous, of both sexes ; several inquisitive 
and chatty ladies not a little heightening the entertainment. 
In the Harleian Collection was an ancient manuscript, near 
twelve hundred years old, most curiously illuminated ; a copy 
of Genesis in Greek capitals, written by Origen's own hand 
in a quarto size, inclosed in a beautiful tin-gilt box resem- 

1 Afterwards Count Rumford. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 321 

bling that fold, containing only its remains, being unfortu- 
nately almost wholly destroyed in the Cotton Library confla- 
gration many years ago. On the same shelves were also 
many others of distant antiquity in the same wretched plight 
with this. Here, also, are the remains of the original Magna 
Charta, granted by King John at Runnymead, part of which 
is scorched and illegible by the same catastrophe. An ex- 
act but not perfectly fac simile copy stands by its parent's 
side, with the arms of those noble barons who extorted it 
from that unworthy prince, emblazoned and surrounding it. 
Also that most valuable manuscript, the Alexandrian copy 
of the Bible, in Greek capitals, of fourteen hundred years' 
duration. 

Among the shell-fish kind is one of the smallest size, 
which looks like the vertebrae of a small animal, for which an 
Italian curioso paid three thousand sequins. Sir Hans 
Sloane at length became possessed of it for thirty pounds 
sterling ! Among pearls is one of the size of a pea, of a 
light purplish water, valued at five hundred pounds. So lib- 
eral of money are men of curiosity, that the last-mentioned 
sum has been offered for it. The innumerable curiosities in 
the natural as well as artificial way, coming fast upon me, 
confounded my memory ; the latter destroying the traces of 
the former by the quickness of their transition. Dr. Gifford's 
respectful and cheerful attention is very pleasing ; he is 
eighty-one years old, lively and sprightly to an uncommon 
degree. I observed against the wall of the Cotton Library a 
bust of Pope Benedict XIV., called from the liberality of his 
sentiments "the Protestant Pope." In the room of antiqui- 
ties, received from Sir William Hamilton, and brought from 
Italy, is a vase having an inscription of Etruscan original, in 
the ancient mode of writing in Greece, soon after the impor- 
tation of the sixteen letters from Phenicia by Cadmus. 

Nov. 16. State lottery being to be drawn, curiosity led me 
to Guildhall, where a gallery for spectators is erected with 
seats, one of which I obtained for sixpence. The first object 
that struck me was a great number of clerks writing down 
the numbers of tickets and quality as they were proclaimed. 



322 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

The wheels were placed on either hand upon a stage raised 
about six feet from the floor, at the bottom of the hall under 
Beckford's statue ; between were seated the commissioners 
at a long table, and a boy at each wheel. After delivering 
the ticket, the boy raises his hand above his head with fin- 
gers displayed open, and after two flourishes thrusts it into 
the wheel, delivering the tickets severally to the man on 
either side, who on cutting the tickets open, being tied and 
sealed, declares the number. To prevent future pranks from 
boys employed to draw out the numbers, a commissioner sits 
in a box directly opposite each boy and near him ; who be- 
sides is obliged on taking out each number to raise up his 
hand, holding the ticket between his fore finger and thumb, 
delivering it to the man, who after cutting it open announces 
its fate or fortune. 

Walked to New England Coffee- House to inquire after 
new lodgings ; from thence to the Disputing Club at King's 
Arms Tavern, Cornhill ; the question to be spoken, for prop- 
erly it was not debated, was, "Caw the doctrine of polygamy, 
endeavored to be established by a well-known divine in a late 
publication^ be defended on the principles of reason, religion, or 
sound policy ? " After many humorous and some solid argu- 
ments against it, in defence however of which no one stood 
upon Dr. Maddam the author's grounds, it was voted in the 
negative, one hand only in affirmative, producing a hiss or 
laugh of contempt and indignation. A gentleman whom I 
took to be in the law line, stood up and modestly said the 
argument had not had a fair discussion, as no one appeared 
but to condemn and reprobate ; and after an apology, pre- 
sumed to suppose it might under certain regulations and 
restrictions by the legislature, in certain supposable cases, be 
allowed, whereby some evils, the too common attendants of 
matrimony, might be avoided without incurring greater evils. 
This met with not the least countenance, yet the speaker, 
who was a well-behaved man of knowledge and ability, was 
treated with respect. It was moved that the company should 
publicly reprobate the doctrine, but prudential considerations 
prevailed to negative the motion. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 323 

Nov. 21. Left cards and compliments at Mr. Clarke's for 
himself and Mr. and Mrs. Copley, who are abroad. 

Nov. 22. Mrs. Cowley, a celebrated playwright, dined with 
us ; she is a small, sprightly body. Evening at a new play 
called " Generous Impostor. ^^ 

Nov. 23. Went to Crown Coffee-House to meet Mr. Arthur 
Savage — disappointed ; proceeded to Westminster Hall — 
courts sitting. Saw Lord Loughborough for the first time 
since his title and presidency of the Common Pleas ; he was 
single on the bench, being on trials after term. Saw Judge 
Buller on King's Bench ; he appears shrewd, quick, ready, 
and promises for an active Judge — this being my first sight 
of him since his advancement. 

Nov. 24. Taking out Mr. Dalglish, proceeded to Adelphi 
Hotel to visit, en passant, Col. Peter Frye and his daughter, 
Mrs. Oliver;^ after a short stay departed for Westminster 
Hall, the doors of neither Lords nor Commons being open ; 
returning passed through the Park, and met Samuel Spar- 
hawk, who joined us to Spring Garden Coffee-House. 

Nov. 28. At Westminster Hall ; courts sitting. Mr. Jus- 
tice Skinner, lately advanced to chief baronship on Exchequer 
bench. Saw Mr. Justice Heath on Common Pleas bench, 
whom I knew, and frequently saw a sergeant at Exeter, his 
birthplace. 

Nov. 29. Six provinces out of seven of the Dutch union 
have acceded to the armed neutrality of the North, to prevent 
British search of neutral ships suspected of carrying naval 
and military stores to the enemy. 

Sunday, Dec. 3. Walked up the Strand, when to my sur- 
prise I found myself all alone, not a person within sight, not 
a coach to be seen or heard; which, considering the hour, 
(five P. M.) was singular. In this predicament I walked on a 
hundred yards or more ; arrived at Spring Garden Coffee- 
House, and over a dish of tea read the " Morning Post," con- 
taining letters of Generals Washington, Clinton, Arnold, and 
Major Andre. The latter, though pitied here, perhaps justly, 
is doubtless to be ranked in the class of spies, and his punish- 
1 Afterwards the wife of Sir John Knight. 



324 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

ment, however censured here, was in my mind not undeserv- 
edly inflicted, and to be justified by the universal practice of 
all nations, civilized and uncivilized, on persons of that char- 
acter. 

Dec. 4. At New England CofFee-House, where conversed 
for the first time with William Jackson, from whom learnt 
particular circumstances of harsh treatment he received from 
fierce partisans in Boston, Newburyport, etc. 

Dec. 5. Evening at Patagonian Theatre, Exeter 'Change ; 
a bauble of a thing. The show a burlesque farce, but I know 
not of what ; performance in puppetry, speakers below the 
stage and invisible ; machinery awkward, scenery pretty. 
Among the auditors was Lord Molesworth. 

Dec. 12. Samuel H. Sparhawk called ; accompanied him 
to Ladies' Disputing Club, at King's Arms, Cornhill. A lady 
presided and acquitted herself very commendably. Question : 
" Was Adam or Eve most culpable in paradise ? " Mrs. Presi- 
dent addressed the assembly with great propriety, just accent, 
and pleasing voice ; explaining the nature of the meeting ; 
justifying ladies appearing to speak in a public promiscuous 
assembly. She was frequently applauded ; on ascending 
the chair, she turned round and gracefully saluted the com- 
pany, discovering perfect self-possession, void of all embar- 
rassment. The other speakers also acquitted themselves 
laudably, and were frequently clapped. Some spoke, I won't 
say argued, on one side, some on the other ; very little seri- 
ous argument, unless declamation, quotations from Hudibras, 
etc., can be so denominated. The subject afforded matter 
for mirth, but the most serious speeches turned against 
the mother of us all. 

The concluding speech was foreign to the question ; the 
subject was the term " congress." The speakers were lively, 
and their wit and humor produced shouts of laughter. The 
principal speaker introduced her speech by observing that the 
word being understood here as implying rebellion, she at first 
apprehended American ladies were coming over in shoals to 
seduce the young gentlemen from our island ladies ; but after 
considering the subject, and being informed by a clergyman, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 325 

to whom she applied for its meaning, had found that the 
word has a harmless signification, and had been used on this 
side the water in treaties of peace, as the Congress of Am- 
bassadors of belligerent powers at Nimeguen, Aix-la-Cha- 
pelle, etc. ; that it is derived from a Latin word signifying a 
meeting together to compose or reunite discordant parties. 
She was pleased to hear it was not likely to give disgust to 
our State physicians, who were laudably employing their skill 
and labor in administering harsh medicines to the disordered 
members of our consumptive empire. After a series of lively 
observations, she closed by wishing success to the institution, 
and that it may do honor to female eloquence. Question 
being put, whether Adam was most in fault, vote by three 
hands only, negatived by one. Thus Eve stands acquitted 
in this female school of oratory of being the most guilty, 
though I fancy the major part considered as females are not 
so clear in the affirmative. 

Mrs. Hayley, the great frequenter of all public city assem- 
blies, was there. A small interruption happened by a dirty 
boy's mixing with the company ; the President declared her 
surprise at it. In all large public collections of people of 
mixed character, persons of unruly disposition are to be 
found, who will indulge themselves in undue freedoms, if it 
can be done with impunity. 

Dec. 14. Col. Browne called on me twice to-day in my 
absence. 

Dec. 15. Called on Col. Browne and also on Arthur Sav- 
age ; both out, the latter gone to Bristol with William Cabot. 
In my way, met Thomas Hutchinson, whom I had not seen 
for four years. 

Dec. 17. Afternoon, accompanied by John Parkhouse, I at- 
tended the famous Herries's chapel of ease, St. John Square ; 
he preached in an animated style, with oratorical delivery, to 
an audience crowded and respectable. 

Dec. 19. Called on Mr. R. Clarke, in company with Col. 
Browne ; we were invited to Mr. Copley's picture-room, 
wherein were two exhibition pieces, viz., Brooke Watson's 
wonderful deliverance from a great shark that had twice 

28 



326 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

seized him, and had bitten off one leg. The other piece, 
Copley's own family, comprising himself, wife, and three 
children, and his father-in-law, Mr. Clark. Here is also a 
large piece representing the House of Lords, when Lord 
Chatham, in the height of his patriotic zeal, was seized with 
a fit which proved fatal ; the piece represents the moment of 
his being raised from the floor on which he had fallen, and 
was lying in the arms and lap of the Duke of Cumberland, 
his son-in-law ; number of Lords sixty, in their dresses, atti- 
tudes, etc., either as they then stood, or as the painter fancied 
they might, faces taken from life as they successively sat for 
this purpose. It is to be engraved for a print, deliverable 
next August twelvemonth, at three guineas each. Mrs. Hay 
appeared in view so very like, that the first glance announced 
for whom it was intended. After amusing ourselves for some 
time, took leave and separated at door. This day removed 
my lodgings to No. 10 Furnival's Inn Court. Appearances 
are for enjoyment here ; experience manifold has taught me 
not to rely on them, nor shall I draw up a verdict till sup- 
ported by issue at departure. 

Dec. 20. William Jackson called, (he lodges at No. 5 this 
court,) and passed the evening till tea. 

Dec. 21. More snow has fallen than has been known to 
be on ground at once, or in same space of time, for many 
years. 

Dec. 23. Samuel H. Sparhawk called to let me know he 
had received letters from New England so late as October 
19. Mr. Jos. Green died about three weeks ago. 

Dec. 26. Called on Mr. Peters ; he was absent, being offi- 
cially engaged at church, this being St. Andrew's day. 

Dec. 28. This is my birthday, allowing for difference oc- 
casioned by altering the style. This day I have completed a 
circle of sixty-four years ; but to how little moral advantage, 
it humiliates me to think. May the short remainder of my 
probationary state be marked with brighter lines, and the 
review of the interval, the present and last hour of my ra- 
tional life, when that awful and important hour shall arrive, 
yield me a comfort that the retrospect of the past cannot 
afford. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 327 

Being at Furnival's Inn Coffee-House, Mr. Peters and a 
Methodist parson entered, joining company and conversation 
for a short time. 

Dec. 29. Paid my first mourning visit to Mr. Joseph 
Green's widow ; she seems greatly oppressed with grief. 

Dec. 31. Attended public worship at Essex-street Chapel. 



328 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



CHAPTER XV. 

A. D. 178L Description of Entertainment at Covent Garden Theatre. 
Letters. American Academy of Arts and Sciences founded in Massa- 
chusetts. Trial of Lord George Gordon. Visit to Priory, Clerkenwell, 
Greenwich Hospital. Mrs. Cowley's New Play. Col. now Governor 
Browne. House of Commons. Debate. Mr. Burke. Visit to West- 
minster Abbey. Mary-le-bone. Dr. Priestley. British Museum. Curi- 
osities seen there. Benj. Thompson, (Count Rumford.) Intercepted 
Letter of General Washington. Excursion to Windsor. Personal De- 
scription of the King and Queen. Eton College. Chiswick House. 
News of the Burning of New London. Admiral Rodney's Fleet at Tor- 
bay. Consequences of Surrender of Loi'd Cornwallis. Henry Laurens 
discharged from the Tower on Bail. 

London, Jan. 1, 1781. The first day of the new year ; may 
it please God to crown the endeavors of good men to bring 
about that desirable event, peace and quietness among the 
contending powers, before another annual revolution, to the 
honor and safety of all concerned. 

Jan. 2. Dined at Barley-Mow, Salisbury Court. Meeting 
Harrison Gray, learnt the capture of the vessel in which S. 
Conant sailed from Holland ; she was carried into Cork. By 
this means, several letters I addressed to different friends are 
thrown into the abyss. 

Jan. 3. I know not whether the mercantile portion of the 
nation consider aught but present objects — view of gain by 
privateering — always successful at commencement of war- 
Ships of the enemy being generally unprepared for defence, 
fall an easy prey ; they therefore seem pleased with the 
spirited declaration of the Sovereign, if it may be so called, 
of war. Letters of marque and reprisal offered. By Lloyd's 
books three hundred Dutch merchant ships are taken and 
safely moored in our ports, and more than three thousand 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 329 

sailors. But this additional weight, added to that of France, 
Spain, and America, already on our hands, the successful 
issue of which we seem to have but too much cause to 
despair of, calls for united bravery, intrepidity, and efforts 
that this nation has in times of like imminent danger exerted, 
and by Divine favor, with unexpected success. May we still 
experience the same kind and favorable interposition, and 
make more grateful returns. Dined in Salisbury Court. 
Samuel Sparhawk drank tea with me, and told me of my 
townsman Col. Browne's advancement to the governorship 
of Bermuda; an unexpected elevation, and I doubt not ac- 
ceptable to himself, encumbered, as he is, with a wife and 
three children. 

Jan. 6. Mr. Peters and Mr. Erving called ; the latter's 
lodgings, Charlotte-street, Islington. 

Jan. 9. Accompanied Mr. Dalglish to Covent Garden 
Theatre ; comedy, " Busy-body," — entertainment, the tasty 
performance of '•'■Freemason Procession" — scenery pompous, 
former part to my taste unpleasing : Harlequin in dumb 
show ; why he is said to be a Freemason, I cannot divine, 
unless investing him with a square, one of their badges, sus- 
pended by a ribbon and hung round his neck, so constitutes 
him. The skipping about of an antic dressed out in a merry- 
andrew's coat, his face covered with black crape, and a 
wooden sword by his side, put on for the purpose of show- 
ing how ready he is at drawing it forth to slap his brother 
antics on face, shoulders, etc. ; displaying the wonders of his 
transforming power in converting trunks, dogs, and chests, 
into watch-boxes, arbors, chimney-pieces, etc. ; his principal 
aim being to make grimaces and wry faces at his favorite 
Columbine, who, by the way, is a fine-looking girl, and made 
to be deeply in love with a fantastic ape, without one proba- 
ble reason for it. These species of pantomime seem at pres- 
ent greatly in vogue ; to arraign the taste is perhaps con- 
ceited ; but this remark will never come to light, if ever, till, 
I dare say, it will be as despised as it is now relished, espe- 
cially by the more enlightened class ; as to the lower, they 
ever were and ever will be too gross for any entertainment 

28* 



330 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

above the lowest humor. I am, I confess, so totally void of 
all relish for such diversions that I forbear condemning them, 
although I consider them as a proof, among many others, of 
the depravity of the present day. I would fain call it vulgar, 
but too many box spectators seem to enjoy it and join the 
galleries. I can't, however, but believe that all sensible per- 
sons do disapprove of these shows as unworthy, but dare not 
openly avow their opinion. The comedy was excellent, and 
well performed ; and much exceeds in point of wit, plot, etc., 
the, to me, flatfish sentimental compositions of the present 
day, with a few exceptions. After the silly harlequin had 
skipped behind scenes, a most grand procession began, pre- 
ceded by a standard of light red color, the ground of all the 
following ones : the first contained a scroll whereon was 
painted in large golden letters, ENOCH, the first grand- 
master ; his representative following, accompanied by two 
attendants ; at a little interval appeared NIMROD, second 
gi'and-raaster, with his representative and four attendants ; 
next was brought the front of the Temple of the Sun at 
Thebes ; afterwards, the great Pyramid of Egypt and the 
Sphynx ; then, front of the Temple of Jerusalem, built by 
King Solomon ; Pharaoh's two daughters next followed, 
attended by their Egyptian and Jewish female and male ser- 
vants, the high-priest properly habited, holding a pot of in- 
cense in his hand, — breastplate, and other insignia on, — 
closing with a long stream of attendants and servants in 
rear ; next, front of Pantheon at Rome, the founder or re- 
pairer, for it is uncertain which, M. Agrippa's name in a list 
under the capitol ; then. Temple of Jerusalem, built by 
Herod, destroyed by Vespasian, represented as in flames ; 
next, William the Conqueror, and behind him was carried a 
prospective view of the Tower of London, as if built by him ; 
then, Edward the Third, accompanied by his son clad in 
black armor, from thence denominated the Black Prince, — 
giving liberty to, and taking the chains off the legs of two 
captive kings, John of France, and James H. of Scotland, at 
the instance of his son, followed by a train of attendants ; 
the front of St. Peter's at Rome then succeeded, Julius II. 



JOURNAL AND LJ:TTERS. 331 

having in his hand a crosier, and on his head a triple crown, 
— alluding to his regal authority : he was attended by a train 
of ecclesiastical officers and servants, and had the keys hang- 
ing to his girdle, as lord chamberlain of the state-rooms in 
the upper regions, and jailer in the lower dungeons ; — and 
like Jack Ketch, who sometimes has a practice of his own 
office tried on himself, it will be a wonder if some of the 
pontifical jailers, when others succeed, have not the keys of 
lower apartments turned upon them. 

Next in order came Queen Elizabeth, dressed in royal 
robes, and attended by her servants, both state and domestic ; 
then followed King James, surrounded by court sycophants ; 
front of Banqueting-House as it now stands, undefiled and 
undilapidated ; next, Guy Fawkes, in dress of his day, hold- 
ing a dark lantern, — alluding to the Gunpowder-Plot, — he 
was forcibly seized and carried off; next followed Inigo 
Jones, the restorer of Greek and Roman taste in architecture, 
preceded by an ensign, having his name in a scroll, with the 
Masonic letters D. G. W. ; then came Charles 11. and attend- 
ants, followed by the front of St. Paul's, the present noble 
structure, founded in his reign ; at length appeared William 
and Mary, the former holding a sheet of paper with this 
insciiption, Bill of Rights, — words that I wish could be in- 
delibly impressed on the minds of kings, lords, commons, 
courtiers, and people of this island ; for, on the practical 
remembrance of this short sentence depends the security of 
this unparalleled constitution, which I verily fear is near its 
dissolution. Then followed the grand-master, seated in a 
magnificent alcove ; then an arch, having an inscription. 
Ancient 3Iasonry ; then two pillars, on the top of each a 
globe, — on one the celestial, the other a terrestrial, — and on 
a list, by which they were kept steady, was inscribed Modern 
Masonry. The last in the procession were Solomon and 
Pharaoh's daughter, seated on a throne of state, and over it 
a rich canopy raised by six steps ; on the bottom steps, on 
each side, stood two lions guardant, between them two young 
Egyptian damsels, dressed in white, — and on each side of 
the throne, all the principal personages of the procession 



332 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

ranged, with standards displayed, made a grand and glitter- 
ing appearance. A fine chorus was sung, and when ended, 
a universal shout of applause rang through the house, and 
the curtain dropped. 

Jan. 10. An extremely cold day, scarcely ever exceeded in 
New England ; abode within all day, glad to have a shelter, 
which many a poor wretch wants. I never felt stronger rea- 
sons for gratitude ; may the sense of it ever remain on my 
mind, for sure I am it is a most pleasing sensation or feeling. 

Jan. 12. Mr. Timmins brought me a packet from Salem, 
by way of St. Kitt's, containing a long letter from Dr. Hol- 
yoke, and one from Richard Ward. 

Jan. 15. Colonel Erving and Mr. Arthur Savage called. 

Jan. 16. Visited Mr. Wiswall ; accompanied Mr. Dal- 
glish, at his desire, to a visit at Samuel H. Sparhawk's. A 
second unsuccessful one to Mr. Hughes, who was keeping 
his birthday at his sister Hutchin's. 

Jan. 17. Drank tera with Mr. Barnes ; his lodgings. No. 5, 
our court ; in conversation till eleven. 

Jaw. 19. Visited Treasurer Gray, — he absent; his son 
John at home. S. H. Sparhawk and Mr. Barnes took tea 
with me, and passed evening; former says a Mrs. Thompson, 
arrived from New England, informs that people in Massa- 
chusetts utter complaints and discontents at Congress and 
the French without restraint. When common sense resumes 
its reign, as it usually does, sooner or later, the scales which 
party zeal had clapped over the eyes of the deluded people 
will fall off, and they will discover the errors then* own mad- 
ness and ill-judged submission to leaders of selfish, wicked 
schemes have seduced them into. She adds, Continental 
dollar bills have, notwithstanding Congressional authority, 
sunk to sixteen for one since their emission, though sent 
abroad for the express purpose of restoring their credit ; so 
ineffectual is human power to create something out of noth- 
ing ; also reports that taxes are risen to such a height as to 
exceed the produce of the land. Those who have left Amer- 
ica since the rupture, have brought accounts so exaggerated 
that renders' it prudent to receive them with caution, and not 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 333 

give too hasty credit. However, that the people are op- 
pressed with taxes, is notorious ; that they are in want of 
money, of the common essential articles, is also well-known) 
and personal safety is very precarious, etc. Nothing, I pre- 
sume, but despair, under the power of an American and 
French army, can reduce this once happy people. May 
these destructive locusts soon be expelled from the face of 
the country, and selfish purposes be abandoned ; for the true 
interest of the English Government consists in a friendly and 
indissoluble union of all its members. 

Jan. 21. To No. 8 Haymarket, to see Lieut. "William 
Browne, (my friend Col. Browne's son,) of the 38th Regi- 
ment ; he had departed for Portsmouth in order to take ship- 
ping for Gibraltar. 

TO JONATHAN SEWALL, ESQ., BRISTOL. 

London, Jan. 23, 1781. 
Dear Sir : 

A few days since, I received a long letter from our com- 
mon friend, Doctor Holyoke, who informs me that the win- 
ter of '79-80 exceeded any since 1740. It began before the 
middle of December, and it should seem, lasted till June 
nearly ; no vegetation taking place till the last week in May ; 
that the snow continued to fall till the 11th of January, when 
it was between two and three feet deep. Not a day in all 
January, nor till 10th of February, was it warmer at eight 
o'clock, A. M., than twenty-eight degrees of Fahrenheit's 
scale, — which I fancy pretty thoroughly cooled them; and, 
on the 29th of January, the mercury stood at six degrees be- 
low zero within doors, and abroad sunk two degrees lower. 
Under all our distresses, we here enjoy, he says, one prospect 
promising public happiness in future : — four or five years 
since, less than half a pint of Siberian wheat was sown 
among them, producing so incredibly, that, in the northern 
counties of New England especially, there is reason to be- 
lieve the harvest this year will yield seed enough for the 
whole State another year. 

Notwithstanding the evil doings of our countrymen, are 



334 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

not you pleased to think they are likely to become indepen- 
dent of the Southern Colonies, and eat, like the inhabitants 
of the other improved countries on the face of the earth, 
Christian's food, and be no longer confined to that which 
everywhere else is raised only for the nourishment of horses 
and poultry ? I am glad at heart, but fear that even this 
blessing, like food taken into a disordered stomach abound- 
ing in acrimonious juices, but the more increases its morbid 
state, — for this unexpected supply, and at this juncture, will 
afford the crafty, political, and spiritual misguiders among 
them but too plausible an occasion to trumpet forth this 
seemingly seasonable interposition of divine Providence in 
their favor, and confirm and harden them, amidst all their 
sufferings, in their infatuated destructive resistance to a pow- 
er as necessary in my mind to their safety and honor as a 
parent to his children in an infant state. Nor do I fancy it 
would be a difficult matter for the aforementioned gentry to 
persuade them that Moses and Joshua's prophetical declara- 
tions to the children of Israel, that they should possess a land 
flowing with milk and honey, and be filled with the finest of 
the wheat, — the two former of which you know they had 
plenty enough before, — did ultimately refer to themselves, 
was typical of them, and was now accomplishing, — so en- 
tirely do they seem to have surrendered up their understand- 
ings to the insinuations and influence of their guides. The 
last year's taxes in Massachusetts were more than commen- 
surate to the produce of their lands, under the best improve- 
ment ; if the force that keeps them under such deplorable 
circumstances is not insurmountable, their political folly ex- 
ceeds any recorded in history. 

With perfect esteem, your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

London, Jan. 24, 1781. 
Dear Sir : 

Were I to write a theme, as you know was customary in 

the last years at our schools, and should choose TuUy's cele- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 335 

brated line for the subject, " Cedant armn togce^ concedat lau- 
rea ling-uce" our Massachusetts might be quoted as an exam- 
ple. For, amidst the din and clash of arms, the hurry, tu- 
mult, and confusion of war, as though they were enjoying 
the sweetest blessings of a well-established, secure peace, the 
rulers of the present Government there have instituted and 
incorporated a society for promoting literature and the liberal 
arts, etc., by the name of the " American Academy of Arts 
and Sciences;''^ of which the following is a short relation, 
received lately from my friend Dr. Holyoke : " Our legisla- 
ture has lately incorporated sundry gentlemen in the several 
counties, to the number of sixty, enabling them to hold real 
and personal estate, and has granted them other ample pow- 
ers and privileges, for the purpose of promoting those arts 
and sciences which may be either useful or ornamental to 
society." To which he adds, " I doubt not, you will wish 
the society may flourish ; the cause of science being the 
cause of humanity." I do fervently wish its encouragement 
and increase ; glad at heart that they have been disposed to 
promote any plan to soften that ferocity and hardness of 
heart which war, rapine, and plunder have lately spread 
among them, and which the wisest and most prudent among 
them have viewed with horror. I have never read this para- 
graph in my friend's letter, but it reminded me of a line in 
Horace, unless I mistake the author, ^'■Emollit mores nee sinit 
esse ferosP ^ I was, for a time, at a loss to account for their 
choice of this particular period for such a purpose, consider- 
ing the great and important business upon their hands of 
forming a new State, etc., but am now fully satisfied the fore- 
going hint was the true and pressing cause. 

Dr. Langdon has quitted the chair of the Presidency of 
Harvard College, but for what reason I am not acquainted. 

The late emission of paper by Congress cannot find credit 
enough to obtain a currency — the old bills are eighty for one. 

I remain truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 
1 Letters soften and refine the character. 



336 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

TO EOWLAND SAVAGE, ESQ., HALIFAX. 

London, Jan 25, 1781. 
Dear Sir : 

By mere accident, going to the " Blue Post^^ almost oppo- 
site my lodgings, I saw Mrs. Savage, which gave me great 
pleasm-e ; by her I was informed of your appointment at 
Halifax, being the first intelligence concerning you since my 
ill-omened departure from America. Hope your post affords 
a genteel subsistence; in these times, no unfavorable circum- 
stance to Refugees, in which case I most heartily congratulate 
you. Wishing you a supply and continuance of all needful 
blessings, I am your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Jan. 27. Mr. Barnes called on me to inquire about Colo- 
nel Erving's lodgings, Islington. 

Jan. 28. At St. Paul's. Dr. Whitfield preached ; com- 
pany, as usual, small but respectable. Passed an hour at 
Gray's Inn Coffee-House ; received a list of the seized and 
forfeited estates in Massachusetts. 

Feb. 1. Dined at White-Heart Inn, Bishopgate-street, 
at Mr. Dalglish's invitation, in company with Messrs. H. 
Hughes, Hutchins, John Inman, and Whitlock. 

Feb. 5. At Westminster Hall, being the important day of 
Lord George Gordon's trial ; floor stowed as bale goods in a 
ship, and as closely packed. Soon took myself off, rather 
than hazard death by suffocation : the collection was mis- 
cellaneous. Trial lasted till four o'clock next morning, when 
he was acquitted on the score of insanity. 

Feb. 6. Accompanied Mr. Arthur Savage to Clerkenwell, 
by his desire, to view an old secularized religious house, 
called Priory, now belonging to the Duke of Portland, ten- 
anted by a carpenter and undertaker, who civilly accompa- 
nied us through ; there is now nothing remaining of old 
buildings but a small portion of cloisters, at the end whereof 
is cut, ^^Jordan Bridget, Murrell Bridget, founders, 1100." 
In a distant part are small remains of a wall, supposed to be 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 337 

in a state of decay, and the two arches, a larger and a small- 
er, the former ornamented, and both portions of a circle, 
which form prevailed before the introduction of the Gothic 
or Norman styles. Returning from thence, turned into a 
court of several narrow alleys, filled with small, huttish kind 
of houses, the habitations of filth and vice, named Blueberry 
Alley^ notorious for its constant supply of Tyburn. Ten 
have been dragged out from thence in one session, for thiev- 
ery and other enormities, and graced the halter. Met our 
late Mr. Fisher ; I turned in with him to Mr. Hutchins's auc- 
tion-room, who was then employed in disposing of natural 
and artificial curiosities from the South Sea, just imported 
in the Resolution. 

Feb. 7. Visited Col. Browne and lady ; meeting Mr. Dal- 
glish, took him with me, and after a short stay departed to 
Mr. Timmins's; thence to Mr. Arthur Savage's, Brompton- 
Row. 

Feb. 9. Mr. Dalglish called for me to accompany him to 
Greenwich Hospital ; walking to Gracechurch-street, after 
half an hour's delay, entered stage and soon arrived there, 
and thoroughly examined it within and without. Dined in a 
detached room belonging to a tavern in the town, built and 
projecting over the river Thames, from whence is a view of 
the Isle of Dogs, Blackwall, and Long Reach. Returned in 
stage ; in our passage was told the following : An inhabi- 
tant of this town walks every day, and has done so for some 
years back, from seven to eight miles, having measured with- 
in the period from whence the computation began to some 
months since, forty-five thousand miles. Evening at Crown 
Tavern Lodge ; Quick, the celebrated comedian, was raised 
to Masonry — a humorous, funny companion, who I fancy 
intends to entertain the public with the secrets of this so- 
ciety. 

Feb. 10. Accompanied Mr. Barnes to St. Nicholas Col- 
lege Abbey, Old Fish-street. Dr. Porteus, Bishop of Ches- 
ter, preached an excellent and elegant sermon in style and 
composition, and pleasingly delivered. 

Feb. 13. Visited by Parson Peters and Parson Clarke, 

29 



M 

i 



338 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

late a townsman ; from a cold taken on board a prison-ship 
in Boston harbor, to which he was consigned by the patriots 
in punishment of Toryism, he has lost his voice, and is scarce 
able to articulate. This, added to his deafness, renders him 
a lonely, pitiable object ; he has received twenty pounds per 
annum from the Society for Propagating the Gospel, — Gov- 
ernment declining to give him a settled stipend, though it 
has once and again presented him with a scanty gratuity. 

Feb. 15. At Col. Browne's. Mrs. Browne informed me 
of her treatment at Salem and Boston, after her husband's 
departure to England. 

Feb. 16. At Bow Church to hear an annual sermon to So- 
ciety for Propagating the Gospel in partibus transmarinis ; Dr. 
Hurd, Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, preached ; present 
the Lord Mayor, two Sheriffs, two Archbishops, Butler of Ox- 
ford, Thomas of Rochester, and Markham of York. 

Feb. 19. Evening, at an Address on heads, exhibited in 
transparency, as follows : Sterne, a pathetic apostrophe ; 
Capt. Cook, the celebrated circumnavigator, an encomium, 
etc. Breslau's surprising tricks on cards followed, interluded 
with music, and an imitation of the thrush, blackbird, sky- 
lark, nightingale, wood-lark, and quail. 

Feb. 24. To theatre to see Mrs. Cowley's new play ; un- 
fortunately it was hissed off the stage just before the conclu- 
sion of the last act; being in its progress of acting alter- 
nately and frequently hissed by its foes and cheered by its 
friends ; the latter proved the minority, and therefore unsuc- 
cessful, as all in minorities are in State and Church, as well 
as theatres. Many came for the express purpose of support- 
ing or damning it ; her husband, a writer in one of the daily 
papers, employs his pen in criticising works of all other stage 
writers, and has, by the severity of his remarks, raised up a 
host of determined foes to crush whatever proceeds from his 
quarter ; though no foreign considerations Avere needed to 
banish this piece from the stage, its own intrinsic unworthi- 
ness was more than, enough ; being a low performance, and 
unworthy the pen of the author of '^Belle^s Stratagem " and 
" Who 's the Dupe.^^ Knowing the writer and her connections, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 339 

I feel severely for them, especially, too, as her brother is a 
fellow-lodger, whose exquisite delicacy of feeling must be 
cruelly wounded on this occasion. The prologue and epi- 
logue were excellent, and did great credit to the performers, 
Mr. Lewis and Miss Young, who were rewarded with uni- 
versal applause. 

Feb. 26. Drank tea at the widow Greene's, in company 
with two Misses Joye of Boston, by whom I was informed 
of the following, viz. : A younger son of Francis Greene, 
from Boston, who was born deaf and dumb, who was under 
the tuition of a person in Scotland, in the course of one year 
arrived to the power of forming articulate sounds, and can 
now converse on any subject so intelligibly as to be under- 
stood without difficulty by those acquainted with him ; 
music only excepted ; he writes letters with propriety and 
even elegance. This person engages to instruct dumb pupils 
in all languages, and has examples of his success to prove 
his art; he has more than a hundred now under his manage- 
ment. A proposal is about to be presented to the King by 
the Duke of Montague for establishing academies in several 
parts of England, to instruct children of the poorer sort in 
this unhappy predicament, on a public foundation; may it 
succeed, and thereby be brought into usefulness many of 
promising parts. This plan is suggested by Dr. Hunter, 
whose avocations render it impracticable to himself. 

March 8. Met three of my countrymen at three different 
times. Dr. Perkins, Mr. R. Clarke, and Mr. Elisha Hutchin- 
son. 

3Iarch 10. Colonel, now Governor Browne, called on me 
with complaints of my neglect, which sundry avocations 
caused. 

March 11. At Charing Cross just as there was passing a 
most pompous procession of funeral coaches, attended on 
each side by numerous flambeaux-men holding in their hands 
lighted torches in branches of four. 

March 12. Passed eight hours at Col. Browne's in a 
friendly tete-d-tete. 

March 22. To Westminster Hall, and passing through. 



340 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

came to foot of steps leading to the lobby of the House of 
Commons, where, seeing an officer standing unemployed, I 
inquired about the disposition and arrangement of rooms be- 
longing to, and under and adjoining the pile called St. Ste- 
phen's Chapel, Lords' House, Star-Chamber, Painted and 
Jerusalem Chamber ; and from him received a more particular 
and satisfactory account than I had ever before had. Proceed- 
ing thence to the lobby of the Commons' House, I found it 
filled with gentry in livery ; just peeping in, I went directly to 
the hatch leading to the antechamber of the gallery, which the 
old enfeebled keeper opened to me. After the delay of a 
quarter of an hour, I obtained entrance, and found many 
persons there before me. The House was very full below ; 
among others, Lord North, whom I discovered on the treas- 
ury bench by his blue ribbon. The members sit with their 
hats on, but always uncover when they rise to speak, and on 
departure salute the chair by a bow. The Speaker is always 
covered, and with the clerks habited in black gowns ; after 
some time he commanded to order, and some members to 
their seats ; then directing his looks to a Mr. Minchin with a 
motion of his head, the member arose, when a profound 
silence ensued, and continued to be strictly observed through 
the whole of the speech. He began by informing the House 
of a motion he had to make and the subject of it, viz. : That 
a regular and intelligible account should be rendered of the 
money granted by Parliament for the navy, for which inquiry 
and motion he assigned three reasons ; one being the waste 
in expenditure. The proof of this article arose from thirteen 
ships, of which he mentioned one instance only as a speci- 
men ; the others were in the same predicament. The Nar- 
cissus, in 1772, was estimated at <£3,000, to complete with 
guns and stores ; on estimate of 1778, she was put in at 
X5,000; in 1779, ^5,500; and in 1780, at £3,600; in the 
total £17,100. At the end of that period she lay in dock 
untouched, without a farthing's worth of stores or one gun 
on board, and in the same unfit, unrepaired condition as at 
first. During the course of his speech he was now and 
then interrupted by a murmur on the other side the House, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 341 

which was at times succeeded by " hear him, hear Mm,''^ and 
very generally attended to. 

Sir George Young followed, but was less minded. Sir 
Charles Bunbury spoke next, who made a long and more 
formal oration on same side, pretty well listened to, and 
frequently complimented with ^^ hear hhn, hear him;" which 
expression was also used to two men who followed, viz. : 
Admiral Keppel, who spoke well, and with some warmth, 
and Sir Hugh Palliser, who was called by name by his party.* 
He arose and began by justifying the Admiralty, attributing 
the present state of the Navy, though respectable, to malig- 
nant influence of party, which has, he said, diffused itself 
effectually into the King's Dock-yards, teaching the inmates 
to form associations, whereby wise measures of the Admiralty 
had in some degree been defeated. He having finished and 
set down, the House resounded with '■'•Burke, Burke ; " here- 
upon the Irish orator arose, and in a loud and manly voice, 
with singular energy and compass of expression, and a tor- 
rent of eloquence, reprobated Sir Hugh's account, exposed 
the futility of his arguments, excited universal attention, and 
frequently raised more than a smile in the features of his 
listening hearers. I should have mentioned Mr. Penton, one 
of the Navy Board, who rose next to the motion maker, and 
justified the accounts rendered, as a mode adopted and by 
experience found the best for more than a century past ; to 
which the reply was that he had mistaken the meaning of 
the objections in three particulars. 

March 23. With Mr. Danforth fetched a long walk to 
Session Green, in Paddington Road. 

TO DR. EDWARD A. HOLYOKE, SALEM. 

London, March 23, 1781. 
Dear Sir : 

Meeting the bearer this afternoon, he informed me of his 
intended departure to-morrow for New- York. The shortness 
of the warning puts it out of my power to be so particular 
in my answer to your agreeable favor as it was my determi- 

29* 



342 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

nation to be. In my next, if I can procure a conveyance not 
exposed to State inquisition, I shall fulfil my first purpose. I 
am now to acknowledge the pleasing and interesting rela- 
tions yours conveyed, and am glad that at any rate our na- 
tive country is and has been free from those oppressions, suf- 
ferings, and distressing evils that intestine commotions and 
rage of civil war have subjected our unhappy fellow-subjects 
in the Southern Colonies to. Whether you have had real 
•enjoyments compared to its confessedly happy days within 
our remembrance, I pretend not to affirm or deny ; the ac- 
counts from those who have for these two or three years 
since escaped from thence and took refuge here, are such as 
do not excite the most fervent wishes in the breasts of our 
countrymen here, who enjoy peace and the comforts of life, 
to return back again soon. One would think from the estab- 
lishment of an Academy of Arts and Sciences at a time when 
the country is oppressed by a destructive war, yet uncertain 
of the event, that the rulers of your State labored under 
Vetourdie des hommes du bois, or possessed the magnanimity 
of the old Roman senators ; be that as it may, I wish its 
continuance and success. 

I am now going to relate a fact you would perhaps have 
thought incredible ; the day on which 1 completed two hun- 
dred and ninety-six weeks' residence on this island, favored 
me with a sight I had never before had of that extraordinary 
person. Lord North ; though I confess curiosity had more 
than a score of times led me to the lobby of the Commons 
House and the gallery, but accident procured me what my 
wishes and endeavors had failed in hitherto : for carelessly 
strolling without design into Westminster Hall, I obtained 
admission to the gallery, where I had an opportunity of see- 
ing him with a full treasury bench and house. The great 
Irish born orator, Mr. Burke, spoke, and his thundering elocu- 
tion fixed the attention of the House, and his wit and satire 
diverted them, and produced peals of laughter. More it is 
needless and would not be prudent to mention. There are 
some appearances that the Empress of Russia's mediation 
may be attended with salutary effects. May a stop be put 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 343 

to the further effusion of English blood ; too much has been 
spilt already in this destructive quarrel for independence. 

Very truly, your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

April 2. Went to Leicester- Square to pay Mr. R. Clarke 
a visit, but seeing a nobleman's carriage at the door, pre- 
sumed he was sitting to Mr. Copley, and that therefore my 
company may be inconvenient. 

April 3. Abel Willard and young Borland called to-day 
in my absence, and left their address. Called on Mr. Dal- 
glish, and invited him to accompany me to WooWich ; he 
readily complying, we walked to Charing Cross and took 
coach to Greenwich ; the stage being gone from thence, we 
walked to Woolwich, about three miles. Passing through 
the town, we went on towards Artillery-Park, wherein is an 
immense quantity of brass and iron ordnance, mortars, and 
shot of all dimensions; passing through we arrived at the 
place where the convicts were employed in labor, each hav- 
ing a chain on both legs just long enough for him to walk 
conveniently, with a string tied thereto reaching to the waist 
to keep the chain from falling down to the ankles. I am told 
there are about five hundred employed, bringing dirt, sand 
and gravel from barges on small carts, some in wheeling bar- 
rows, others in various ways, as they are qualified. The 
effects of their labor is visible in a sea-wall of earth, six hun- 
dred yards long, and having a broad, convenient footpath on 
top ; they are now employed in making and sodding a new 
artillery parade. I could not refrain from many mortifying 
reflections on the sad necessity human governments are under 
to treat with such severity so many of our fellow-creatures, 
furnished with the noble powers of reason and understanding, 
and capable of employing them to the most useful purposes. 
Dined at Crown and Anchor, and returned by eight o'clock. 

April 5. Mr. Arthur Savage and Mr. F. calling, we went 
to St. Lawrence, Jewry, to hear a sermon to the Governors of 
the London Hospital, from the excellent and worthy Bishop 
of Chester, Dr. Porteus. He posses^^es a good enunciation 



344 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

and pleasant voice, somewhat earnest, style elegant, periods 
happy and finely turned, without any appearance of art or 
affectation. On the whole he is a delightful speaker, never 
failing: to instruct and charm a serious and attentive hearer. 

Received a letter from Rev. Thomas Barnard, inclosed in 
one from Benjamin Pickman, at Warwick. 

April 6. Drank tea at Mr. Copley's, with whom his father- 
in-laviT, Mr. R. Clark, resides ; all the family present. 

April 8. Accompanied Col. Browne to hear the famed 
pulpit orator, Mr. Duchee, late of Philadelphia, at Tavistock 
Chapel, Broad-Court, Long-acre, who figures even in London. 
His performance, in point of language and delivery, greatly 
pleased us. Dined and passed the evening at Col. Browne's. 

April 11. Mr. Sparhawk, Rev. Mr. Peters, and Rev. Mr. 
Clarke took tea with me. 

April 13. Good-Friday. To Westminster Abbey ; enter- 
ing, I found the choir shut ; no service, or over, but could not 
learn which ; so totally ignorant or unconcerned are people 
here in general of everything not their immediate business or 
pursuit. Returning, I stepped in at Whitehall Chapel ; the 
Dean of Rochester was preaching. Lord North and Judge 
Oliver attended at same place, though I knew it not till in- 
formed by the latter, at whose house I drank tea, and there 
met Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Hutchinson. Since my last visit to 
Westminster Abbey, to my surprise, I find a white marble 
monument erected to the honor of Dr. Isaac Watts ; he is 
represented as clad in a loose dress, sitting in a thoughtful 
posture, his head covered with lank hairs resting on his left 
hand ; his right leaning on a table, holding a pen, denoting 
his having just finished a sentence; his arm seized and 
grasped by a female figure, in loose attire, which I suppose 
to represent one of the virtues. 

April 14. Visited Mr. Maddocks the florist's garden at 
Camberwell ; a fine show of auriculas and hyacinths. 

April 17. Accompanied Thomas Goldthwait to Wis wall's 
lodgings, by his desire, he having called on me for that pur- 
pose, in order to offer him the living at Dunmore, in Essex, 
which the Rector gave Mr. Goldthwait leave to offer to any 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 345 

American clergyman out of employ. The terms offered were 
fifty pounds salary, and considerable emoluments, for life, or 
as long as Mr. Wiswall shall please ; the neighborhood is 
represented as agreeable. Met Samuel Porter and sundry 
others of my countrymen in the Park. 

April 18. Evening at Covent Garden, to see "tI Neiv Way 
to Pay Old Debts ^^ ; entertainment, ^^Barnaby Brittle "; this 
part by Quick, who also acted Justice Greedy. In the whole 
were some humorous strokes, — many low ones, — all ap- 
plauded. 

April 19. Went to Mr. Benjamin Thompson's lodgings, 
Pall Mall. 

April 21. Went to see a model of ancient Rome ; scale, 
one inch to ninety feet, making a square of twelve feet : but 
the topographical or ground scale does not hold with respect 
to height of buildings, pillars, etc., appearing on a larger 
scale. Meeting Mr. Timmins, received an invitation to dine; 
and at two o'clock set off for his house on foot ; in the mean- 
time, Mr. Wiswall coming to my door, instead of entering 
pursued his design of walking. Directed our way through 
the fields to Islington Spa, Saddler's Wells, Bagnigge Wells, 
places he had never before seen. Returned by the way of 
Hatton Garden or street ; at Mr. Timmins's met Gilbert 
Harrison ; returned home modo pedestri. 

April 25. Rambled with Col. Browne round Mary-le-bone ; 
in the neighborhood of a spot, — late gardens, — I saw for the 
first time an old brick building called Queen Mary's country- 
seat, in pretty nearly the same condition she left it more than 
two centuries since ; being in a villa some miles from the city 
of London, in its then circumscribed limits, three-fourths of 
the way to it now built being then country. It is low stud- 
ded and lofty roof, small windows, many juttings and projec- 
tions ; is now in private hands, the Duke of Portland's, and is 
used as a boarding-school. The grounds remain unaltered. 

April 26. Mr. Goldthwait and Mr. Danforth dined with 
me ; at five we departed by assignment to Mrs. Hay's ; Col. 
Browne and lady were to have been of the party, which 
accident prevented. We had Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, late 



346 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

of Boston, and Mr. Greene, who in dress equalled a noble- 
man of the highest rank and quality, girded with a military 
side weapon. 

April 27. Colonel Erving and Mr. Dalglish called ; the 
latter for me to accompany him to the Commons' House. 
The subject of debate was the East India officers, — the mo- 
tion by Lord North ; his opponents were Burke, Charles J. 
Fox, etc. 

April 28. Visited my friend Governor Browne ; confined 
by an ill turn which seized him violently. I called to ac- 
quaint Mrs. Browne that " Beliefs Stratagem " was to be 
acted to-night, having engaged to accompany her to see it. 

April 29, Sunday. At Essex House Chapel, Dr. Priestley 
preached an excellent discourse ; proving beyond contradic- 
tion that religion and virtue are the only just sources of true 
delight and joy, or, as he modified the language, of settled, 
calm serenity of mind. It was a discourse worthy a Chris- 
tian divine, and happy would those be on whose minds those 
blessed truths were impressed in indelible characters. Rev. 
Mr. Wiswall was, by my invitation, my fellow-worshipper at 
Essex House. Afternoon service, Mr. Lindsay preached. 
My companion drank tea with me, expressing in conversa- 
tion his professional dislike of Mr. Lindsay's attempt to re- 
form the Liturgy. Religious prejudice is the unhappy leaven 
of a narrow education, and manifests a fettered mind. I 
hope I have sufficient reasons to rejoice that mine is free 
from those manacles. I plainly see it may be politically use- 
ful to State managers and hierarchists, whose views extend 
not beyond this present mortal state ; but in no view is it to 
be supported on the grounds of advancing the cause of 
truth and manly sentiment, and genuine, unadulterated 
Christianity, 

April 30. Entered Col. and Mrs. Browne's name with my 
own for admission some days hence at British Museum ; list 
filled for two or three days. 

3Iay 4. Dined at Col. Browne's, there heard of Mrs. Sar- 
gent's death. Evening, waited on Mrs. Browne to Covent 
Garden Theati-e, to see " The Duenna.'''' 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 347 

May 7. To Mr. Maddocks's at Walworth, with Mr. Dal- 
glish, to see his fine show of tulips, which unfavorable weather 
deforms greatly, preventing the beautiful, pleasing display that 
might otherwise be expected. 

May 8. Passed forenoon at the public exhibition of paint- 
ings, sculpture, and drawings of the Royal Academy in 
Somerset House, Strand. A great concourse of well-dressed, 
genteel people, as usual ; large exhibition-room crowded, but 
my good fortune secured an advantageous seat, almost cen- 
tral, which from arrangement and construction of room and 
pictures, yielded a fuller view and happier light ; I kept in 
close connection with a gentleman of taste and judgment, 
disposed to communicate, and seeming happy to show off 
and please ; by him I was entertained and instructed. 

May 23. This day at eleven o'clock entered British Mu- 
seum. Dr. Woide, the transcriber and publisher, compla- 
cently showed me the Alexandrian Manuscript of the New 
Testament, favored me with many ingenious remarks, and 
read me several passages which I confess I should without 
his assistance have found it difficult to hobble through, from 
the peculiar manner of writing then used. It is said to be 
older than the Arian controversy, and is without the seventh 
verse of the fifth chapter 1st Epistle of St. John. It is writ- 
ten in Greek capitals, without distinction of points or w^ords, 
letters following in equi-distant spaces. A fac-simile copy 
is now preparing by my informant, who appears learned, and 
is very obliging. After having gone through part of our 
course in the rooms, my companions Col. and Mrs. Browne, 
appeared and joined us. We were attended by Dr. Solander ; 
some of our company were persons of distinction, — Lady 
Dowager Wynne and her young son, the baronet, and sev- 
eral others whose names I have forgotten. Among other 
curiosities were shown us King Edward Vlth's journal, writ- 
ten with his own hand — volumes of royal letters, etc. It 
seems all letters from the princes of Europe to one another 
are preserved, and after death of writer sent back to their 
respective courts; they are of one size — seal never broken, 
a ribbon through the wax is cut in order to open it. Dr. So- 



348 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

lander showed us an oyster-shell of a roundish form, about 
four inches over, which he said was valued at a hundred 
guineas ; another larger beside it, of less brilliant water, of 
no more value than ten ; they both had a faint mother-of- 
pearl cast. On returning home found a letter from Arthur 
Savage, informing me of Mr. Thompson's compliments and 
wish to see me at eleven o'clock to-morrow, at his lodgings. 

May 24. Went early in order to be at Mr. Benjamin 
Thompson's in time, and being a little before, heard he was 
not returned home from Lord George Germaine's, where he 
always breakfasts, dines and sups, so great a favorite is he. 
To kill half an hour, I loitered to the Park through the Palace, 
and on second return found him at his lodgings ; he received 
me in a friendly manner, taking me by the hand, talked with 
great freedom, and promised to remember and serve me in 
the way I proposed to him. Promises are easily made, and 
genteel delusive encouragement the staple article of trade 
belonging to the courtier's profession. I put no hopes on the 
fair appearances of outward behavior, though it is uncandid 
to suppose all mean to deceive. Some wish to do a service 
who have it not in their power ; all wish to be thought of 
importance and significancy, and this often leads to deceit. 
This young man, when a shop-lad to ray next neighbor, ever 
appeared active, good-natured and sensible ; by a strange 
concuiTence of events, he is now Under-Secretary to the 
American Secretary of State, Lord George Germaine, a Sec- 
retary to Georgia, inspector of all the clothing sent to Amer- 
ica, and Lieut.- Col. Commandant of horse dragoons at New 
York ; his income arising from these sources is, I have been 
told, near seven thousand a year, — a sum infinitely beyond 
his most sanguine expectations. He is besides a member of 
the Royal Society. It is said he is of an ingenious turn, an 
inventive imagination, and by being on one cruise in Channel 
service with Sir Charles Hardy, has formed a more regular 
and better digested system for signals than that heretofore 
used. He seems to be of a happy, even temper in general 
deportment, and reported of an excellent heart ; peculiarly 
respectful to Americans that fall in his way.^ 
1 Afterwards the celebrated Count Rumford. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 349 

Mem. A letter has been intercepted and published here, 
thought by some to be a genuine production, and uninten- 
tionally fallen into British hands, signed Geo. Washington, 
showing his opinion of American inability to support this 
burdensome and expensive war, unless France and other 
allies bestir themselves and lend more essential aid than hith- 
erto ; meeting Mr. Paxton and Treasurer Gray, they both 
agreed in sentiment that it is a genuine letter, and dictated 
by real judgment. 

Drank tea at Mrs. Greene's by appointment ; met Mr. Wis- 
wall, who was just going to his cure in Oxford. At his re- 
quest I jumped into the carriage with him, and alighted at 
Crosskeys, Gracechurch-street ; thence to Boar's Head, East- 
cheap, and in the identical spot where Nym, Pistol, Bardolph, 
Hal, and Sir John FalstafF were wont to assemble together 
to pass their jovial evenings three hundred years since ; after 
a regale of punch to the remembrance of these jovial blades, 
we returned to Crosskeys. 

June 5. Visited Governor Browne and Mrs. Browne, both 
unwell ; promised to dine with them the last of the week. 

June 8. Mr. Erving called. 

June 11. Visited Mrs. Greene and Abel Willard ; drank 
tea with Mrs. Councel ; a Mr. Codner and Jones, both late 
from Boston, there ; no material intelligence obtained from 
them. They say provisions are double in price to usual in 
former happy times. Never did an infatuated people wanton 
away their felicity more foolishly. 

June 13. Dined and passed the evening at Col. Browne's. 

June 19. Paid farewell compliments to Elisha Hutchin- 
son, going soon to his summer residence at Birmingham. 

June 22. Through Moorfields came across a mountebank 
or stage doctor, on an elevated scaffold, covered with a ragged 
blanket, discoursing to the more dirty-faced ragged mob; 
demonstrating to their satisfaction, no doubt, the superior 
excellence of his nostrums to those of the dispensary, and the 
more safe and secure state of patients under his manage- 
ment than hospitals and common receptacles of sick and 
wounded poor ; whose lives, health, and ease, he said truly, 

30 



^ 



350 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

were as dear to them as those of the best gentry or highest 
nobility in the land ; and he further added, of as much use 
to the public, which for aught I know is equally true. 

June 23. Went to Col. Browne's to take the last farewell 
of him and Mrs. Browne, about to depart to his government 
at Bermuda ; never more expecting to see them again in this 
world. 

June 25. Young Gould, a Bostonian, bound to New York, 
offered to take letters. 

June 26. Capt. Coombs from New England via New York, 
whither he fled to escape persecution, as he said, (a Marble- 
head Refugee,) called and breakfasted with me ; strolled to- 
gether to Tyburn, and returned by the square lying north of 
the city. Carried him home to dinner, thence to Chelsea ; 
returning by Brompton, met Treasurer Gray and Mr. Pax- 
ton ; the latter at first sight recollecting, accosted me, accord- 
ing to his usual custom, politely and with great openness. 
The traces of his countenance have been lost in my memory, 
and I should have passed him. 

June 28. At New England Coffee-House ; saw more Bos- 
tonians than for some years past. 

June 29, Went to see the house in which the noted Jane 
Shore died ; found that it was demolished four years since, 
and a new one erected on the spot, in three small tenements, 
which stand in a lane directly facing Watergruel-Row, so 
called. Was informed that an underground communication 
had been discovered between that house and Bishop Bon- 
ner's Palace in that neighborhood. 

July 2. Wm. Cabot and Capt. Coombs drank tea with 
me. 

July 4. Mr. A. Savage and Mr. T. Danforth called and 
took coffee with me. 

July 9. Meeting Mr. Deputy Ellis at a bookseller's in 
Cornhill, who resolved my doubt about the meaning of the 
word molten, as applied in Scripture to images or figures in 
brass on metal ; signifying melted. 

July 10. Left a note for Mr. A. Savage at Knightsbridge, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 351 

to acquaint him that Mr. Erving had been to appoint to-mor- 
row to call on him. 

July 12. Visited Mrs. Hay ; there met two Winthrops, 
one of whom, Thomas Lindall Winthrop,^ had lately arrived 
from New England in Captain Timothy Folger's ship. 

July 14. Accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Snelson to Windsor ; 
passing by Hammersmith, stopped at Turnham-Green ; from 
hence to Staines, where we dined. At seven o'clock amved 
at ^'■Castle and Mermaid" Windsor. Evening, walked on 
terrace in the Castle ; a pleasing prospect, filled with promis- 
cuous company. 

Windsor, July 15, Sunday. At St. George's Chapel, prayers 
at eight ; present, the King, Queen, Princesses Elizabeth 
and Sophia, — about a hundred hearers; we joined the train 
to Queen's house, or rather to the gates. The King was 
dressed in blue fly, cuffs small, open, and turned up with red 
velvet, cape of same, buttons white, breeches and waiscoat 
of white cotton, an ordinary white wig with a tail ribbon, a 
round black chip hat, small, as used in riding. He is tall, 
square over the shoulders, large ugly mouth, talks a great 
deal, and shows his teeth too much ; his countenance heavy 
and lifeless, with white eyebrows. Queen of the middle size 
and bulk, height five feet and a-half, — though far removed 
from beautiful, she has an open placid aspect, mouth large, 
foot splay : at prayers their voices often heard, and they 
appeared devout. They take no state upon them, walk freely 
about the town with only a lord in waiting. At seven, every 
evening after tea, the King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Princess- 
Royal, Princesses Sophia and Elizabeth, walk for an hour on 
terrace half a mile long, amidst two or three thousand people 
of all ranks. The Prince of Wales appears a likely, agreeable 
person, far more graceful than his father, who is ungainly. 
The Prince affects much the " Jemmy " dress and air ; age 
will doubtless soften down the juvenile taste and affectation. 
The Queen's dress, a riding-habit, same color and facings as 
the King's — a small bonnet with a blue feather. Conducted 

1 The late Lieut.-Governor of Massachusetts ; the other was his brother 
Benjamin Winthrop, who then resided in London. 



352 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

to picture gallery and state-rooms ; in one stands the Queen's 
bed, of a cream-color, worked in flowers with silk floss beauti- 
fully shaded, about seven feet long and six wide ; posts fluted, 
and gilt tester, having in the centre an oval compartment, 
thought to be the richest in England except Lady Clifford's 
at Wybrook, which was wrought and presented to her by 
the late Duchess of Norfolk, — twelve chairs and a screen, 
wrought by her present Majesty's own diligent hand. In the 
evening on the terrace, the King was in full dress, — blue 
uniform, sword, and cockade ; the Prince of Wales the same. 
The Queen in a faint greenish silk full dress, except her 
head, on which she had a bonnet with a feather of the same 
color as her dress. 

July 16. Crossed the river to Eton College or School, pass- 
ing through cloisters and quadrangles. I learnt from a lad 
that there were three hundred and thirty pupils belonging to 
the school ; the higher class had on gowns and caps of Uni- 
versity fashion. After breakfast, at Castle, to hear the roll- 
call of Lord Falconberg's regiment, now on duty, and hear 
the music ; two bands of which were playing while the Royal 
family were walking last evening. Took our carriage and 
departed over Cranbrook Bridge, and at two o'clock arrived 
at the Eight, so called, being a little island of two acres in 
the river Thames, opposite Kew, just above the bridge. We 
came hither expecting to have a fine dinner, but the boat had 
been robbed by some Londoners ; were disappointed. Arrived 
at lodgings at seven o'clock. 

July 17. Took Captain Coombs to dine with me at the 
" Thirteen Cantons ; " — called on A. Savage. Spoke to Mr. 
Rowe, of Treasury, about Captain Coombs ; he encourages 
his application to Lord North. 

July 23. Met Mr. R. Clarke on horseback near Charing 
Cross ; walked in Charter- House Square and Gardens ; am 
told the number of men supported by the founder's munifi- 
cence is fourscore, besides forty boys. 

July 26. Rode to Enfield, to inquire respecting board; 
result unsatisfactory. I rambled to the borders of the Chase, 
now laid out in corn and grass, to the great advantage of the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 353 

neighborhood. In this town is a large, and for the age it was 
built in, a lofty house of three floors, which had been the res- 
idence of Queen Elizabeth ; having on the walls within the 
court, the arms of England quartered with the fleur-de-lis of 
France, and Q,. E. inscribed over in plaster of Paris, almost 
obliterated bv time and weather. Returned home on foot 
without much fatigue. 

July 26. Called for an interview with Mr. Benjamin 
Thompson ; he and Lord George Germaine not returned 
from the country. 

July 27. Called again on Mr. Thompson ; neither he nor 
Lord George returned. Passed two hours in Mr. Waller's 
front dining-room, to have a sight of the French spy, De la 
Motte, who was dragged on a hurdle to place of execution, 
Tyburn, to be hanged ; tall and well grown, — dress black, 
flapped hat. 

July 28. Went with Mr. Arthur Savage on a curiosity 
walk, to gaze at Chiswick House and Gardens ; by a card 
(without which none are admitted) we found an entrance. 
It is a seat belonging to the Duke of Devonshire, but for- 
saken by him. It was left him by its former owner, the late 
Earl of Burlington. It is properly a miniature building, and 
in a peculiar taste ; not a room I think twenty feet square, 
many smaller. The walls are covered with pictures, some 
fine originals, principally copies ; grounds covered with 
sphinxes and urns. Walks in Chinese taste, long, straight, 
and gravelled; cut hedges. From a terrace is a beautiful 
view over a delightfully improved country, bounded by sur- 
rounding hills, interspersed with gentlemen's seats; farm- 
houses, live hedges, corn grounds, pastures with trees in 
rows, clumps, and wildernesses. In the grounds are a few 
temples and porticos. Having satisfied curiosity, as far as 
time would admit, we entered the road and began our home- 
ward course, and arrived at three o'clock. 

July 29. Dined at Capt. Hay's, by invitation card of yes- 
terday, with Mr. Danforth, and also Mrs. Geyer, just arrived 
from New York. 

July 30. Went to Westminster Abbey to meet Mr. Sav- 

30* 



354 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

age by agreement, to explain to him the meaning of mottoes 
under arms of the Knights of the Bath in Henry Vllth's 
Chapel. Saw, for the first time, Lord Chatham's effigy in 
wax, having the wig, shoes, robes, etc., he had on when he 
expired in the House of Lords ; said to be very like him, but 
very unlike every cut of him that had before come to my view. 

July 31. Dined with Mr. Simpson and Mr. Higginson, 
and abode there till four o'clock ; returned, and Mr. Smithson 
drank tea with me. 

Aug. 1. Capt. Coombs breakfasted with me ; accompa- 
nied him to the Treasury, in order to put his petition, with 
Sir William Pepperell's recommendation, into Mr. Rowe's 
hands ; who returned it, advising to a further attestation of 
the alleged facts. Returning, we stepped into Lincoln's Inn 
Hall, where was sitting Lord Chancellor Thurlow in a case 
of lunacy ; from whence I departed alone, and dined at home. 
Drank tea with Harrison Gray and wife at Brompton. 

Aug. 3. Called at Mr. Thompson's lodgings, in Pall Mall 
Court — disappointed — went to show Mr. Savage the grave 
of Judge Chambers Russell, in Bunhill Fields burying- 
ground; which at sixty pounds' expense has but a common 
gravestone. Thence to the poor remains of a once royal 
palace, of which the outer gateway (St. John's Gate) is now 
standing, and only that ; the site is now a cow-yard and 
stable ; so where once royalty was lodged, beasts inhabit. 

Aug. 4. Again disappointed in not finding Mr. Thomp- 
son at his house, nor at the Treasury. 

Aug. 6. Took tea at Mr. Copley's, with Mr. R. Clarke 
and the family. 

Aug. 8. In conversation with Mr. Peters, was informed 
that it is and has been all along the determination of the 
Cabinet to set up the noblemen's claim against New Eng- 
land charters, annihilate all of them, and reduce the surviv- 
ing inhabitants to a state of villenage, or expel them. He 
says he has sufficient authority to assert this. Cruel, barbar- 
ous determination ! May heaven disappoint their cursed de- 
vice against innocence, justice, right, humanity, and every 
laudable principle and virtue. May America and my coun- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 355 

try men, more dear to me than ever, be made acquainted with 
this more than brutal cruelty ; may disappointment be the 
issue of their attempts, vexation and every evil the reward 
of such unexampled, oppressive, rapacious designs, for it is 
but yet in embryo, never, I hope, to see the light. I doubt 
not Heaven has in store ample revenge for this devoted coun- 
try, whose rulers seem infatuated, and themselves on the 
verge of ruin thereby. 

Aug. 9. Mr. Jones, a Bostonian, drank tea with me. 

Aug. 11. After one hour's waiting, admitted to Mr. 
Thompson in the Plantation Office; he seemed inclined to 
shorten the interview, received me with a courtier's smile, 
rather uncommunicative and dry. This reception has damped 
my ill-grounded hopes, derived from former seeming friendly 
intentions to promote my views ; this, my first, will be my 
last attempt to gain advantages from a courtier, of which I 
never entertained favorable impressions. 

Aug. 18. Took tea and passed the evening at Mr. and 
Mrs. Hay's. 

Aug. 21. Dined at Capt. Hay's, with four gentlemen. 

Aug. 24. To the Gresham Lecture-room to see Copley's 
picture of Lord Chatham's Death. 

Sept. 4. Took tea with Dr. Jeffiries, of Boston, a son of 
David Jeffries. 

TO MR. THOMAS WYER, NEW YORK. 

London, Sept. 12, 178L 
Dear Sir : 

Having the other day met Mr. Berry, who informed me 
you were settled in New York with your wife, and that he 
would take charge of a letter and deliver it into your hands, 
I am encouraged to send this scrawl that serves to acknowl- 
edge the receipt of yours of a distant date, and thank you 
for it. I hope your situation is comfortable, though, at best, 
a man in the civil or commercial line has many reasons of 
complaint in a garrison of disorderly, licentious soldiers. I 
am glad to be informed that you are employed in business, 
and hope it will turn out to good account. 



356 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

It has been my wish, ever since I have been from my own 
home, that all who are in a slate of exile, whether voluntary 
or not, except those immediately concerned in the revenue, 
who could not have remained in America, had been prudent 
enough to have kept their political opinions to themselves, 
especially after the frenzy had worked itself up so high in 
the minds of our zealous patriot neighbors, and remained at 
their own dwellings, and made the best shifts they could in 
these troubles. They might, I really think, have found 
themselves, for the most part, in less disagreeable circum- 
stances thai! they now are ; at least, I can truly say it re- 
specting my own particular case. But the bad consequences 
of past errors are now only to be lessened by a prudent for- 
bearance of harsh reproachful language against the present 
rulers in the American Colonies that remain in subjection to 
Congress authority ; for whatever you warm transatlantic 
Loyalists may think, it is probable, however the general war 
may terminate, there never will be established such a degree 
of British governmental authority in North America as will 
cause much matter of triumph to American Refugees. I wish 
America would dissolve the execrable French alliance, that 
they have sufficient reasons already to detest, and which 
will, if continued much longer, issue in greater ruin. 

We are now hemmed in by the combined fleets of France 
and Spain, to the number of forty-nine capital ships, and 
eleven frigates, which have been cruising for some time in 
the chops of the English Channel. Ours, under Admiral 
Derby, is at present in Torbay. A large East and West In- 
dia fleet is hourly expected under a slender convoy ; but Gov- 
ernment has taken the precaution to send out some fast sail- 
ing cutters to apprise them of the danger. 

Wishing you success and safety, 

I am your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Sept. 27. Accompanied Messrs. Savage and Toulmin to 
Drury Lane, to see " School for Scandal," which was highly 
entertaining. On the appearance of Mrs. Cargill, appointed 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 357 

to one of the parts, a general hiss, followed by an unusual 
clap of approbation, for some minutes kept on to discounte- 
nance the hiss, occasioned by her whimsical caprices and 
rude disappointment of the public at Haymarket Theatre 
about two months since. She is a pleasing performer and 
public favorite. 

Oct. 2. Took tea and passed the evening at Mr. John 
Savage's with Mr. A. Savage, except a walk to Chelsea 
Hospital. 

Oct. 9. Papers say Adam Woolridge is appointed Ameri- 
can Secretary's Deputy, in lieu of Mr. Fisher, who now holds 
the office. Mr. A. Savage dined and passed the evening 
with me. 

Oct. 15, Went over to Chelsea ; met Mr. Benjamin Hal- 
lowell there. Another countryman, Commodore Loring, 
discharged from pension list by death, and another going 
same way ; Brigadier Royall seized with small-pox, with 
hazardous symptoms. Capt. Coombs dined with me. 

Oct. 18. Thirteen criminals executed at Tyburn ; a mel- 
ancholy consideration that robberies have of late greatly 
increased, as indeed has thieving of all kinds, in the me- 
tropolis. 

Oct. 20. Mr. Arthur Savage, and Miss S., and Mr. John 
Savage, lady and son, drank tea with me. By the papers, I 
find some Salem privateers have fallen into the hands of the 
British. 

Oct. 30. Dined with Mr. and Mrs. Hay. 

TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESQ., SIDMOUTH. 

London, Oct. 30, 1781. 
Dear Sir : "" 

Inclosed is a bank post-bill for £24 6s. Sd., the balance of 
your quarterly pension of £25 ; and while I reside in Lon- 
don will, with great readiness, serve you or any acquaintance 
in this or any way in my power. 

You wish me to write you favorable news from America ; 
would to God such was to be found written in the book of 
fate. 



358 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Respecting the state of the war in that quarter : the French, 
you know, are in possession of the Chesapeake, with a much 
superior fleet to that of Great Britain ; for they reckon thirty- 
six capital ships to our twenty -four, even after Digby's junc- 
tion. General Cornwallis's royal master is in the utmost 
distress for him, whom all the world here fears to hear will 
have been Burgoyned, and therefore an end to this cursed, 
ill-omened quarrel, though not in a way they wish ; for which 
the instigators and continuers deserve execration. It is, how- 
ever, reported that twenty thousand men are to be shipped 
off to America in February, part of whom are the five thou- 
sand before destined to the East Indies. 

I am yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

Nov. 20. Letters from New York inform us that New 
London, in Connecticut, is burnt, with all the shipping, by 
six hundred American Associators, so called, leagued in a 
band of destruction against their native country : together 
with the loss of lives and properties of the inhabitants, the 
assailants left of their number two hundred dead on the spot ; 
their death the just punishment due to such parricides. 

By the King's speech I find he intends, if Parliament will 
furnish men and money, to continue his efforts to reduce his 
rebellious subjects in America to his royal will and pleasure, 
and his other enemies to his own terms, if he can; and no 
doubt they will continue to furnish both as long as they last, 
and until they shall fairly and completely have dried up all 
the sources, which, perhaps, a few more expensive, unsuccess- 
ful campaigns will effectually accomplish. Would that this 
nation or its rulers were wise enough to sit down by its pres- 
ent losses, and make the best of what remains. Commerce 
and conquest are two things in nature very unlike, and re- 
quire very different geniuses in carrying on ; and which is 
most congenial and natural to these islanders is obvious. 

Nov. 22. The wind continues westerly, detaining Admiral 
Rodney's fleet of eight ships of the line in Torbay, bound 
for the West Indies. The Court and all apprehend some 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 359 

great blow there, as they have reason from the great superi- 
ority of the French fleet gone from Charleston since Corn- 
wallis's surrender on the 19th ult., of himself, officers, army, 
baggage, artillery, ammunition, de guerre and de bouche, to the 
American General George Washington, of whom some of 
the wise men of this country speak with undeserved contempt. 
This being the second instance that has happened to the best 
forces of this continent, and perhaps the first of the kind that 
ever befell this haughty America-despising people. And 
the flight of two English Admirals, with a frequently declared 
superior fleet. Graves and Digby, (under the auspicious eye 
of one of the royal offspring, Prince William Henry, who is 
training up, and I hope will prove an ornament and a useful 
naval commander,) to New York with Clinton and his gar- 
rison of cooped-up troops, who for a few weeks having 
breathed free air, are now chiefly returning back to their 
winter amusements and useful employment of dancing, card- 
playing, acting farces on mock stages, and decorating their 
pretty persons for the astonishment and delight of their female 
admirers. 

Adieu to the character which once justly enough distin- 
guished the Army and Navy of this little Empire ! 

Nov. 23. Overtaken in the Park by a former travelling 
companion, named Aspdin, of Philadelphia, on horseback ; 
he recognized me after an interval of four years. 

TO MR. ANDREW DALGLISH, GLASGOW. 

London, Nov. 25, 1781. 
Dear Sir : 

London, as you justly observe, to a pushing man and of 
abilities is the place to gain great advantages, if he knows 
the world and how to avail himself of lucky incidents, and 
is attentive to them ; but to one of a contrary character it is 
far otherwise. Your request of my service need not be twice 
asked, if I know how to perform anything essential for you, 
or any friend; but being placed by Providence out of the 
reach of rendering services, I am endeavoring to reason my- 
self into the belief that I stand in need of none myself, though 



360 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

possessing very little more than the necessaries of life ; 't is a 
hard task, though, if attended with success, shall not grudge 
my pains. Our townsman, Mr. Fisher, holds a quartered, 
precarious office, at I fancy less than half its real income, 
under, and returnable to Mr. Thompson, when he shall come 
back, which I doubt not will be in the spring or summer fol- 
lowing. 

Clerkships, as all offices under Government, are at open 
market, and bought and sold as public stocks, the premium 
four, five, or six years' income. The Treasury CofFee-House, 
under the arches, is the place where the sellers or brokers are 
to be seen at business hours. If you have any connections 
that can recommend you to men of influence, and can really 
engage their interest, (for promises are the courtier's traffic, 
and mean nothing ; people of breeding are too polite to dis- 
oblige in any other way but by neglect,) you may succeed ; 
without, it will be vain to attempt. Merit is disregarded, 
implying a demand. Here it is not asked what you have 
done, but what you are capable of doing, is worth attending 
to. In whatever line you direct your views, I sincerely wish 
success ; you might assuredly depend on my aid if it could 
or can be of any use to you. 

With real and hearty good will, 

I am your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Nov. 26. Going through the Park, I found great numbers 
there waiting for the King's passing to the Parliament House, 
being first day of session, when it is opened by a speech from 
the throne ; the King in his robes, crown on his head, which, 
if capable of feeling, must, I think, feel more distress than 
at any time since his brows bore this emblem of royalty. 
The total overthrow, in Lord Cornwallis's defeat, of his long 
projected and self-promised subjugation of North America 
to an uncontrolled power, must have this effect. Man's de- 
signs are often overruled by a more powerful authority. Took 
tea at Mr. John Savage's, according to promise, with a room 
full of company. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 361 

Nov. 30. Took my watch to London to be reformed, it 
proving a useless companion in its present state of false in- 
telligence ; borrowed one in the interim. 

Dec. 5. Mr. Thomas Hutchinson and Mr. A. Savage 
took tea with me. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

Brompton, Dec. 15, 1781. 
Dear Sir : 

I delayed answering your last favor till I could send a sat- 
isfactory one to your question about your friend, Thomas 
Bernard, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn ; and now I have the pleas- 
ure to acquaint you that he and I were this day as usual fel- 
low-worshippers at Essex House Chapel, which seems to be 
his Sunday's resort, both for worship and the communion, at 
which he attends with becoming devotion. Our preacher to- 
day was Mr. Estin, of Lewinsmead, Bristol, for Mr. Lindsay 
himself always performs the Liturgy service. 

Since Lord Cornwallis's surrender, Government, I am told, 
has laid aside all other thoughts than to maintain, if practi- 
cable, Carolina, Nova Scotia, New York city, Charleston, 
and Georgia ; perhaps since the majority for carrying on the 
war in America, when the House of Commons consisted of 
more than four hundred, fell to forty-one only ; a proof, not- 
withstanding the irresistible influence of Court, of the real 
sentiments of the landed interest. For the aforesaid purpose 
immense quantities of army and navy ammunitions, de 
guerre and de bouche, will be sent over, and primarily furnish 
America, and ultimately, I fear, France, with the ability to 
dispossess Great Britain of every foot of ground on the con- 
tinent of North America ; and it will be well if not the 
islands too. But whoever is master of the ocean will doubt- 
less command these ; whether Great Britain is or is not at 
present, is a fact easily to be judged of; whether she will be 
in time to come, must be read in a following page in the 
book of fate. 'Tis, I confess, foolish to anticipate evils; a 

wise man said, — 

31 



362 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

" If evils come not, then our fears are vain ; 
And if they do, fear but augments the pain." 

No mind is so fortified as not to feel concern for what 
may happen, especially when smarting under the rod, nor 
insensible when oppressed. 

Very truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

Dec. 20. Went to London in order to pass a day at Capt. 
Hay's ; he was departed to Portsmouth to meet his ship 
there. 

Dec. 23. Sunday at Essex House Chapel. Mr. Lindsay 
preached an admirable dissuasive against placing terms of 
acceptance with God on narrow party principles, as if he 
was engaged to support Calvin, Arminius, or the Council 
of Nice, or any body of patriarchs, archbishops, or bishops 
whatever. 

Dec. 31. Three days since was my birthday, when I en- 
tered my sixty-sixth year. What reason have I to lament 
the loss of time and waste of powers that our indulgent Cre- 
ator has bestowed upon us for wise and useful purposes. 

Henry Laurens, Esq., late President of Congress, was ad- 
mitted to bail and discharged from the Tower. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 363 



CHAPTER XVI. 

A. D. 1782. Letters. Visit to the Queen's House. Domestic Habits of the 
King. Letter from Judge Oliver. Secret Service List for 1781. Gen- 
eral Burgoyne. Welsh Procession. Disgrace of Lord George Germaine. 
Defeat of Ministers. General Rejoicing in England. Lord Surrey and 
Benedict Arnold. New Ministry. Anecdote of the Prince of Wales. 
Lord North. Excursion to Hampton Court. Division in the Cabinet. 
Admiral Barrington. News of the Defeat of the French Fleet by Admiral 
Rodney. Maddocks the Florist. Anecdote of the Shakspeare Mug. Par- 
son Wiswall. New Arrangement of the Ministry. Visit to House of 
Commons. Parson Peters. Sir William Pepperell. Lord Howe. Sterne's 
Private Character. Public Notice of a Provisional Treaty between Eng- 
land and the United States. State of Parties. Sir William Draper. 

Brompton, London, Jan. 1, 1782. Dined at Mr. John Sav- 
age's, in the Grove. 

Jan. 3. Called on Dr. Jeffries, a countryman of mine, at 
No. 28 South Moulton-street. In my absence, Mr. Tiramins 
and James Russell called. 

m 

TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESQ., TAUNTON. 

London, Jan. 8, 1782. 
Dear Sir : 

Mr. Rowe names the 21st for delivering out his orders to 
the bank for payment of our quarterly stipends. I shall be on 
the watch, and avail myself of the earliest day for myself and 
you. 

I presume you have heard of the death of poor Abel 
Willard, your late friend, whose continuance on the London 
stage was of a few days only after his return from Oxford. 
He is now gone to that retreat from suffering, where the 
wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. I 
am told the surviving mate is a mourner in earnest. 

I wish you the compliments of the season, and am glad to 



364 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

hear from you that you are enjoying the pleasures of cheer- 
ful mirth and conviviality ; may they continue up to your 
desires, which I presume are ever confined within the bounds 
of temperance ; and hope a full restoration of your health 
and spirits. Happy those who can amuse or gladden their 
hearts v;ith anticipation of future good. The present pros- 
pect is too gloomy for my weak mind to discover one gleam 
of hope. Your faithful friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Jan. 10. Received a letter to convey to the widow Poyn- 
ton, at Salem, from her late husband's kinsman of same 
name, in Orange-court, Leicester- Fields, with a complaisant 
invitation to dine with him next Sunday. 



TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESQ., TAUNTON. 

Yeoman's-Row, /aw. 24, 1782. 
De.4lR Sir : 

I have the pleasure to inclose you a bank post-bill for <£24 
65. Qd., wishing it safe to your hands. 

I am not happy enough to present you with any good 
news of our own selves or our public concerns, unless you 
will say none is such, at a time when bad only may reason- 
ably be expected from almost all quarters of the globe. And 
though I would not raise imaginary ideal terrors in the breast 
of any of my acquaintance, I cannot forbear to mention a 
piece of intelligence received from an acquaintance here, 
communicated to him by a lady, who, he says, has intimate 
cabinet-council connections. He says, she has in times past 
more than once or twice informed him of secret deliberations 
and resolves done and acted there that at the time surprised 
him, and were afterwards verified by the events. She told 
this in confidence, with great apparent concern of mind, etc., 
seeming firm in belief, and fear of its being put into execu- 
tion within a few months. Hear then your doom : — It has 
been a subject of deliberation, and is thought to be determined 
in the Cabinet, to withdraw from the American Refugees in 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 365 

England all Government support. So shameless and un- 
exampled an act of barbarity, you probably may think, can- 
not be perpetrated in a civilized State ; perhaps not. Politics 
and morals, however, are founded on very different grounds, 
and conducted by principles of a quite contrary complexion 
from each other. What is heterodoxy, base and unjustifiable 
in the one system, may be in the other sound State orthodoxy, 
and free from reproach ; viewed in the single light of sup- 
posed good of the State. One cannot, therefore, tell what the 
administrators of public affairs may think it politically pru- 
dent to 'do in the paroxysms of public distress ; and their 
ways and means are unhappily in one at this very time. I 
would fain disbelieve, but confess my fears step in between 
apprehensions on one side, and doubt on the other, and cast 
up the balance on the side of the latter. This day, I ques- 
tioned Mr. Rowe at the Treasury on the subject ; and he, 
with the apathy of a stoic, and the composed countenance 
of a , coldly replied, he had not heard of it. No, an- 
swered I, and I trust you never will. The nonchalance of 
his behavior rather increased my alarm than silenced my 
doubts. If you think it worth while to make inquiries about 
it, perhaps some friend who has connections with the Court 
may convince you of its truth or falsity, — or, perhaps, you 
will prefer to postpone a knowledge of evils till they arrive, 
thinking that sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Yours, truly, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO JUDGE SEWALL, BRISTOL. 

No. 1 Yeoman's-Row, Brompton, Feb. 4, 1 782. 
Dear Sir : 

After so long a silence, I fancy you will wonder at this 

time to hear from me, and I confess I should hardly have 

thought of troubling you, but for a selfish purpose. I am 

directed by a son of Esculapius to heighten my diet by a 

moderate use of the most nutritive food, best dry wines, and 

spirits diluted in water, etc., excluding sweets, sours, and high 

seasonings, — in order to animate, warm, and invigorate, as 

31 * 



366 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

far as possible, an old, cold and enfeebled body. Please in- 
form me the proportions of spirits, milk, etc., of the mixture 
that was recommended to you by a London physician of 
note, to be taken by one in a decaying weak habit. 

I durst not touch on the state of the nation, nor of our 
particular concerns as Refugees, both of which, I presume, 
you suspect to be in a very unpromising condition. 

I believe you will wonder how I came to the place from 
whence I date ; my situation is, lucidly, for the time I pro- 
posed to abide here, happy, from a coincidence of circum- 
stances which could not be foreseen. 

Your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Feb. 7. At the Queen's house with Mr. Hopkins to see the 
plate, etc. The first object that struck me was three large 
maund baskets, covered, of table plate, as dishes, tureens, but- 
ter and sauce boats, all with covers, raised, embossed and 
engraved. The King's service was silver-gilt ; the Prince's, 
silver. We also were conducted to the kitchen, where were 
eighteen male cooks busily employed in their several various 
lines ; the men in white jackets and caps, and the women in 
white aprons and caps. By a late royal order, no one is to 
appear in the kitchen with their natural hair. When the 
King arrives from court at St. James's, (where he attends five 
days in the week, Tuesdays and Saturdays being the only 
ones he has in the week for his own private amusements, 
concerns, etc.,) dinner is called, on which a bustle ensues ; the 
assistants of the silver scullery take such pieces as called for 
out of baskets, place them on a warm stove, whence they are 
taken by the cook and filled and taken to dining-room door, 
and delivered to the person appointed to place them on the 
royal table. Common dinner, five dishes of meat, four of 
garden stuffs, arid one remove daily, and no more. He is 
exceedingly temperate, drinks generally water, and rarely 
partakes of more than one or two dishes. His supper is 
water-gruel, taken in a vessel peculiarly appropriated to his 
use, called the King's cup, and is of silver-gilt, — shown me 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 367 

by the yeoman. The King's company at table is the Queen, 
Prince of Wales, (unless on his public dinner days,) the 
Princess Royal, Princesses Sophia and Elizabeth : the rest 
of the children at another table in another apartment. The 
Prince's dinner served up by his proper officers in the same 
manner as the King's. The Queen, unless indisposed, al- 
ways attends court and levee days ; as soon as it is over she 
returns ; immediately dinner is served up without waiting for 
her husband ; a proof of good husbandship. It is said every 
King has a service of new table plate, the old being disposed 
of; the silver is kept in bags and put into presses. I took 
leave, and by advice returned by Buckingham Gate, Pimlico, 
Grosvenor- Place, in preference to Constitution Hill, which 
sometimes is hazardous, and at eight o'clock got safe home. 



FROM CHIEF JUSTICE OLIVER. 

Birmingham, Feb. 9, 1782. 
Dear Sir : 

Your favor of the 4th inst. informs me of two canisters of 
snufF which you have for me. I am much obliged to you 
for your care and trouble for an irritating powder for an 
American Refugee, and doubt not that it will be of a more 
agreeable nature than the so many irritables we have all 
turned up our noses at for five or six years past. If you will 
be so kind as to send it to the Birmingham coach at the 
Green Man and Still, in Oxford-street, directed to me, I shall 
be glad ; and if you will call upon Mr. Thos. Hutchinson,^ 
he will pay you for me. 

I am sincerely glad of the safe arrival of our friend Gov- 
ernor Browne ; ^ I wish him an easy cushion for his chair, 
but I fear a barking crew of Rebels will disrest him. Your 
friend Mr. Lakin inquires after you when I meet him. 
Health and ease attend you ; so wisheth 

Your humble servant, 

Samuel Curwen, Esq. Peter Oliver. 

1 Governor Hutchinson's son. 

2 Williaoi Browne, of Salem, afterwards Governor of Bermudas. 



368 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Feb. 15. Mr. Thomas Hutchinson called and passed an 
hour with me. 

Feb. 17. The Secret Service List for the year 1781 is posi- 
tively charged with the following sums : — 

American Departments, exclusive of Refugees £83,000 sterling. 

Admiralty 46,000 

AVar-Office 10,500 

Secretary of State 53,600 

Treasury 72,000 

£265,100 

The request long urged by General Burgoyne, of having a 
court-martial appointed to decide upon his conduct in the 
affair of Saratoga, has at last been complied with, and orders 
transmitted from the War-Office to the Commander-in-Chief 
in America for sending over such officers as mentioned by 
the General as necessary for his defence, by the first convey- 
ance, to attend the trial. If no unexpected impediment 
takes place, it will be held in the spring. The Administra- 
tion seems loth to have an inquiry made; perhaps it will 
produce an exposure of orders, etc., judged not prudent at 
present for the public eye. 

Feb. 20. Bishop Lowth, of London, and Bishop Newton, 
of Bristol, both died on the 14th inst. 

Feb. 26. Walked to Chelsea with Mr. Dalglish, who re- 
turned and dined with me. Miss Savage and father joined 
us at tea. 

March 1. The Welsh procession from St. Andrew's 
Church, Holborn, to the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the 
Strand to dine ; the members, and all of that nation, adorned 
with leeks and ornaments resembling them, stuck on the 
button-band of their hats, as is usual on this day, called in 
the Roman calendar St. David's Day ; still continued in his 
honor, who is the titular saint of the nation. This society 
is established for the support of the poor, for which they 
have a fund, schools, etc. 

March 2. Wrote several letters to be sent home by a Mr. 
Sigourney. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 369 

TO DR. E. A. HOLYOKE. 

London, March 2, 1782. 
Dear Sir : 

Since my tedious answer to your only favor, I have fre- 
quently thought of a mistaken notion asserted therein, which 
I naturally fell into for want of making proper inquiry and 
receiving information, arising from the vulgar prevailing no- 
tion in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, that our soil was 
peculiarly unfavorable to the raising of wheat, which made 
me look upon the success of the Siberian as almost miracu- 
lous. A little while after I had sent off my answer, I hap- 
pened to fall into a conversation with a curious sensible gen- 
tleman, who from repeated trials had proved the falsehood of 
our vulgar notions, and had raised frequent large harvests of 
excellent wheat from his own grounds, even from soils natu- 
rally weak and indifferent. I am, therefore, convinced he 
justly derived our people's pertinacious adherence to their 
own bad and wrong tillage from a mere obstinate and lazy 
attachment to old customs, handed down from father to son, 
and preferred, in spite of yearly disappointments, from gener- 
ation to generation. 

Your real friend and well-wisher, 

S. CURWEN. 

March 2. Lord George Germaine, who was admitted 
into the Administration on the idea of subjugating North 
America to the unconditional authority of Parliament, hav- 
ing since Lord Cornwallis's surrender of himself and the 
whole army to the victorious arms of France and Congress, 
abdicated his post of Secretary in the American Department, 
left the House of Commons, and gone up to the House of 
Lords by a patent of nobility. General Carleton, who is 
confessedly of superior ability in point of military knowledge 
and execution, is now appointed General-in-chief in Amer- 
ica, where all manoeuvres in his line are intentionally given 
up, and no opportunity is afforded for exertion, except in the 



370 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

way the former generals, his predecessors, have figured in 
amassing personal wealth out of this already cruelly op- 
pressed people. Lord George Germaine's admission to the 
Upper House was accompanied by many severe reflections 
and motions to address the King to prevent it ; many Lords 
thinking it disgraceful to suffer tamely one to be added to 
their number who stood disgraced by the sentence of a court- 
martial, and was forbidden the society of any of the officers 
of the army. The Marquis of Caermarthen made the mo- 
tion, and Lord Shelburne warmly seconded it. Many 
speeches on the occasion. Last Wednesday, General Con- 
way concluded a long speech in the Commons with the fol- 
lowing motion, viz. : Resolved, " That it is the opinion of 
this House that a further continuance of an offensive war in 
America, for the purpose of subduing by force the revolted 
Colonies, is totally impracticable, inasmuch as it weakens that 
force which we ought to employ against our European ene- 
mies, and is contrary to his Majesty's declaration, who, in his 
gracious speech from the throne, expresses a wish to restore 
peace and tranquillity." This motion the ministerial party 
endeavored to dispose of by the Attorney-General's motion 
for an adjournment, when, at half past one o'clock, the 
House divided, and to the discomfiture of his Majesty's min- 
isters they were in a minority by nineteen. General Con- 
way then moved that an Address be presented to his Majesty 
on the above resolution. This was seconded by Lord Al- 
thorpe, and carried without a division ; the Minister not 
daring to risk a second defeat. In consequence of this im- 
portant decision, the nation is at last within the prospect of 
enjoying the blessings of a peace with America. 

Lord Storraont wrote to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen to 
prevent, if possible, illuminations in the city ; none were ex- 
hibited but in the gallery on the top of the monument, "which 
blazed with more than sixscore lamps. As soon as the joy- 
ful tidings of the Minister's defeat and the nation's deliver- 
ance was announced in the lobby and avenues of the House 
to the numerous multitudes that waited in anxiety and per- 
turbation to know the fate of their country, the most vehe- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 371 

ment and heartfelt shouts of acclamation pierced the ear, if 
it did not reach the heart of the Minister, now tottering on 
the Treasury bench. Those noble and distinguished charac- 
ters, who, by their steady perseverance and zeal had over- 
come the ruinous system of ministers, were hailed by the 
grave multitude as the saviours of their country. Expresses 
were despatched by the ambassadors to their several courts, 
announcing this important decision, which naturally changes 
the system by which the peace of Europe is disturbed. The 
King's answer to the Address of the Commons, in conse- 
quence of General Conway's motion for putting an end to 
the present war with America, contained the following: 
" There are no objects more near to my heart than the ease, 
happiness, and welfare of my people ; and you may be as- 
sured that, in pursuance of your advice, I shall take such 
measures as shall appear to me most conducive to the res- 
toration of harmony between Great Britain and the revolted 
Colonies, so essential to the prosperity of both, and that my 
efforts shall be directed in the most effectual manner against 
our European enemies, until such peace can be obtained as 
shall consist with the interest and permanent welfare of my 
kingdom." 

March 4. Advice of the surrender of Minorca to the com- 
bined armies of France and Spain, by Gen. Murray ; of the 
capture of St. Kitt's by the French, to which fate Nevis and 
Montserrat will probably soon submit. Essequibo and De- 
marara, taken by Rodney and Vaughan, are retaken by a 
French squadron, and it will be great good fortune if one 
single West India island be left to this wretched, devoted 
country. 

March 7. The large banking house of Brown and CoUin- 
son, Lombard -street, was declared bankrupt to-day, and car- 
ries with it a train of ruin. They were of the Society of 
Quakers, and therefore more unexpected, as people of that 
persuasion are generally prudent, and not engaged in expen- 
sive, luxurious modes of life. 

March 10. A gentleman lately from Brest acquaints Lord 
Sandwich that a piece of bad news had arrived there from 



372 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

the West Indies, which renders somewhat probable the report 
of a master just arrived, that St. Kitt's was retaken by Ad- 
miral Sir Samuel Hood, who, hearing of De Grasse's depart- 
ure, immediately sailed and obliged the French troops, to the 
number of six thousand, to surrender. They had not forced 
the English lines at Brimstone Hill, and were left exposed 
without a single ship to aid them. De Grasse, thinking him- 
self sure of the conquest, after safely landing these, had left 
them to their chance, and went in quest of other adven- 
tures ; probably to assist in retaking St. Lucia. May it 
prove true. 

March 12. I find myself for some time laboring under 
distressing symptoms, which I have reason to believe my 
nature too feeble to withstand, and which must soon give 
way to and yield in the struggle. May I retire where undue 
passion, ungoverned appetite, and selfish regards shall have 
no rule or sway, and all shall be peace, harmony, mutual re- 
gards, and no intemperate gratifications. 

3Iarch 18. This day advice is come from Ireland of the 
most serious nature ; a large quantity of artillery is arrived 
there from France, under the pretext of securing the island 
from foreign invasion ; but from the known general prevail- 
ing wish among the people, there is some reason to fear a 
general revolt from this Government, and an independency 
thereon. Should it take place, wo betide this falling nation. 

3Iarch 20. On the Earl of Surry's rising in the House of 
Commons to make his motion about removing ministers, 
Lord North arose, and after some altercation about the pro- 
priety of his standing up at the same time with the member, 
on his explaining his motives he was allowed to proceed, 
when he announced his (and the rest of the King's servants) 
quitting the Administration, and moved for an adjournment 
till next Monday, by which time the business now in hand 
would be finished, and a new arrangement of ministers set- 
tled, not one of the old ones to remain in office. A greedi- 
ness to share in the public plunder is, I fear, the primum 
mobile, nor shall we, it is greatly to be apprehended, gain 
much advantage by a new set, unless they shall totally 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 373 

change the system, form alliances, (for not one at present 
have we,) if that shall be practicable, put an end to the 
American dispute, and conciliate some of our victorious 
foes. 

On this occasion Lord Surrey happened to espy Arnold, 
the American seceding General, in the House, — sent him a 
message to depart, threatening, in case of refusal, to move 
for breaking up the gallery ; to which the General answered, 
that he was introduced there by a member ; to which Lord 
Surrey replied, he might under that condition stay, if he 
would promise never to enter it again ; with which General 
Arnold complied. This is the second instance of public dis- 
respect he has met with : the King having been forced to 
engage his royal word not to employ or pension him ; a just 
reward for treachery, which is ever odious. 

March 26. The town full of talk about the new Ministry ; 
I doubt their success in settling with America : that poor 
continent is too much in the power of France to eflfect a 
reconciliation on any terms but such as the haughty Court of 
Versailles shall approve of ; and they, I dare say, will be hu- 
miliating enough to this infatuated country : which term, all 
the world will soon see, may with equal propriety be applied 
to English America. 

March 27. Dined at Mrs. Snelson's on Ludgate-Hill ; 
passed an hour at the Coffee-House before dinner, reading 
the newspapers containing the following list of the expected 
new Ministry, which is a total change, there being, (as ex- 
pressed,) " not a hoof left of the oldP Lord North and his 
compeers are obliged, from a minority in some questions, and 
a slender decreasing majority in others, to surrender their 
posts to the opposition ; who come into play on principles 
professedly opposite to the late schemes of the Cabinet re- 
specting America, and the Var consequent thereon: — 

Marquis of Rockingham, First Lord of the Treasury. 

Lord John Cavendish, Chancellor of the Exchequer. 

Lord Camden, President of the Council. 

Duke of Grafton, Lord Privy Seal. 

Duke of Richmond, Master of Ordnance. 
32 



374 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Secretary for Southern Department, Lord Shelburne. 
Do. Northern do. Charles J. Fox. 

Mr. Dunning, Attorney-General, with promise of being 
ennobled, — seals, first vacancy. 

Mr. Lee, Solicitor- General. 

Admiral Keppell, First Lord of the Admiralty. 

General Conway, Commander-in-Chief of Forces. 

Lord Howe, do. of Fleet. 

Duke of Rutland, Master of the Horse. 

Mr. Barr^, or Mr. Thomas Townsend, Secretary at War. 

Mr. Burke, Secretary to the First Lord of the Treasury, 
also Receiver and Paymaster-General. 

Remaining Lords of the Treasury, Lord John Cavendish, 
Lord Althorp, John Spencer, James Greville, and Frederick 
Montague, Esqrs. 

In order to keep in the present Administration, the Cabinet 
had come to a full determination to propose a dissolution of 
Parliament to the Council ; which being proposed, was at 
length agreed to as the only expedient to save their honor 
and support the present measures ; the usual ministerial 
majority in the House of Commons being every day visibly 
lessened. But the Chancellor, Lord Thurlow, with a forti- 
tude and magnanimity peculiar to himself, and worthy of 
the highest praise, withdrew, and refused to affix the seals, 
whereby this junto scheme is totally overset ; nor dare the i 
King nor his Ministers discover any resentment at their dis- | 
appointment. It is thought very serious consequences would ' 
have followed, and public royal disapprobation. Thank God 
that there yet remain any instances of virtue and regard to 
public safety amidst our deplorable situation, mercenary 
views, incredible dissipation, (wherein all ranks are involved,) 
profligacy and effeminacy of manners, and the open unre- \ 
strained practices of genteel vice and disregard of religion. 

March 28. Visited Mr. Timmins for two hours ; he re- 
turned with me. That the Prince of Wales is not content to j 
take all upon trust, the following story perhaps will illustrate : 
Returning lately from an airing on horseback, attended by a 
companion and one servant, on his arrival in St. James's 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 375 

Park, he alighted, and giving his horse to the servant, pro- 
ceeded on foot with his friend to the gallery of the House of 
Commons, where he abode for some hours. Whilst there, 
having entered with his hat on, he was ordered to take it off, 
with which he complied, keeping his handkerchief up to his 
face to prevent the discovery of his person. Having heard 
many things before unknown to him, he departed, surprised 
and informed. This excursion continued so long as to delay 
the royal dinner for more than an hour, and occasioned an 
anxiety in his royal parents' breasts ; his absence at meals 
being unusual. On his entering, being questioned, he frankly 
owned where he had been, not a little to the disapprobation 
of his father ; who has since complied with his request to 
allow him a summer's progress through the kingdom, which 
he has often solicited, in case he would promise to make no 
more such elopements. It is a maxim of state for the pres- 
ent incumbent of the throne to keep the successor ignorant 
as possible, and totally unconcerned and unused to court 
measures and all public concerns, and this King seems in- 
clined to put the maxim in practice to its extent. 

March 29. Good Friday; attended worship at Whitehall 
Chapel, Lord North present. Being disappointed in West- 
minster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church, (at the former by 
the lowness of the reader's voice, at the latter by the service 
not having begun,) proceeding cityward, just as I came to 
the gate leading from Parliament-street to Scotland-yard, or 
Whitehall, who should cross me but a large clumsy gentle- 
man with a blue ribbon across his breast, who, on inquiry, I 
found was Lord North. Following him into Whitehall 
Chapel, I remained during the service. He is rather above 
the common height, and bulk greatly exceeding ; large legs, 
walks heavily, manner clumsy ; very large featured, thick 
lips, wide mouth, high forehead, large nose, eyes not lively ; 
head well covered with hair, which he wears high before. 
The preacher was Dr. Noel, Dean of Salisbury, the only 
Episcopal preacher that I ever saw or heard repeat the Lord's 
Prayer by heart ; not one of them daring to trust to their 
memory except this man. His manner and delivery very 



376 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

agreeable, and his discourse excellent and useful. Dined at 
Salisbury-court; met Mr. Dalglish, who accompanied me 
home to tea, and passed the evening. 

March 30. Mr. Dalglish called, and we went together to 
the Bishop of London's terrace-walk on the banks of the 
Thames at Fulham, and returned by Little Chelsea. 

March ^1. Attended public worship at St. Paul's; Mr. 
Hyslop preached. Drank tea with Mr. Peters. He informed 
me Administration would not consent' to the indepen- 
dence of America ; the ministerial plan is to govern Amer- 
ica by a Lord-Lieutenant, and create nobility ; and if she will 
not agree to Great Britain's proposal, to make a partition 
treaty of the Colonies with France, to whom the Northern 
Colonies and Canada would be ceded, the Southern Colonies 
remaining to Great Britain, — a fine bargain, truly. 

Ajjril 4. Mr. Dalglish called at ten o'clock, and we de- 
parted on foot to Hampton Court, passing through Chelsea, 
part of Hammersmith to Fulham, crossed the river just above 
Putney Bridge, passed through that town, and to Bornes 
Mortlake to back of Kew ; from thence to Richmond, cross- 
ing the river at the bridge, proceeded through Twickenham 
to Hampton, passing Bushy Park, a tedious level of more 
than a mile in length, arrived at King's Arms Inn at two 
o'clock, where we dined. At four o'clock proceeded to the 
palace ; entered with a large company of females, who ar- 
rived there at the same time with us, joining a master with a 
number of young persons, his pupils, and a governess with a 
score of young misses, rendering our company through the 
royal apartments very numerous. The rooms almost all 
hung in rich tapestry of Brussels manufacture, wrought in 
gold and silver, which, being put up in King William's reign, 
time has somewhat tarnished. Pity that the room built for 
the reception of the Cartoons, and which they long adorned, 
is now by this King's whim robbed of them to cover the stair- 
case walls of Buckingham House. Returning, we arrived at 
King's Arms Inn, on the borders of Kew Green, and at 
the foot of the bridge leading to Brentford, at eight o'clock, 
where we supped and lodged. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 377 

April 5. We walked on Bankside Terrace as far as Sion 
House, meaning opposite thereto. Returning, we passed the 
building, and taking the footpath by the river, kept it through 
Chiswick and Hammersmith as far as it was continued, af- 
fording most agreeable views ; then turning, crossed the coun- 
try to Fulham, and by Little Chelsea, arriving at Don Sal- 
tero's cafe on the bank of the river, where we dined, and at 
four o'clock departed, arriving at my lodgings at five o'clock, 
having in two days walked thirty-two miles, (yesterday 
twenty-one, and eleven to-day,) and am at this present writ- 
ing no more fatigued nor less able to take another walk to- 
morrow of the same length. 

April 6. Capt. Coombs and Mr. Dalglish drank tea with 
me. 

April 7, Sunday. Attended worship and communion at 
Essex House Chapel ; Mr. Lindsay read the service and offi- 
ciated at the communion. Dr. Priestley preached an excel- 
lent discourse. 

TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESQ., SIDMOUTH. 

Brompton, April 8, 1782. 
Dear Sir: 

I fancy you need not give yourself any concern about fu- 
ture supplies, which my last letter intimated. Government, 
it is probable, will not be guilty of such injustice as to with- 
hold what the public faith has engaged. Some ill-founded 
grants will be stopped, and here the reform in this will end. 

Truly your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

April 8. Removed my lodgings from Yeoman's-Row to 
Mrs. Smithson's, near the Chapel, Brompton. 

April 15. News from East Indies that our Admira. 
Hughes had taken three places from the Dutch on the coast 
of Malabar. Further accounts of the designed reform by 
new Administration in national expenditures and abolition of 
all needless sinecure establishments — wish it may prove 
true and of lasting advantage. 

32 * 



378 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

April 18. The delegates of the associated counties held 
their first meeting in the new Common Council Chamber at 
Guildhall. During the late Administration they were refused 
it with some marks of contemptuous disapprobation. New 
men and new measures have effected a wonderful change in 
the Common Council of London. 

April 19. This day seven years the fatal fight at Lex- 
ington, Mass., happened ; productive of such baneful con- 
sequences to Great Britain and America; what will be its 
issue, is known only to Him who overrules the folly and 
wickedness of man, to serve His own wise purposes ; may 
all of them who are so deeply interested therein be prepared 
for it. 

April 20. It is affirmed that the Cabinet, which consists 
of ten members, have been thrice equally divided ; the Lord 
President in that case makes report to the King, and he 
agrees with one opinion, which is then entered in the council 
books, with this addition, " By command of his Majesty." 
The King refused to give his opinion, saying, " Let it be done 
as they determine among" themselves." " But, Sire, they are 
divided." " So let it remain then ! " A strong ground of 
suspicion that neither measures nor men are to his liking. 

" The King in a pet, his affairs all deranged, 
Has at last his unmerciful ministers changed ; 
Brave news, quoth the Congress ; but better would be, 
Had the King when he changed them omitted the C." 

April 24. Admiral Barrington has sent into Portsmouth 
four French transports from Brest, and a large ship armed en 
flute, and was left chasing four men-of-war near the harbor. 

April 25. Admiral Barrington arrived in harbor with ten 
ships of the line and nine transports — French prizes, in- 
tended for the East Indies, with another French ship of sixty- 
four guns armed en flute. 

Maij 2. To Westminster Hall ; sat an hour in Chancery 
Court; heard Lord Chancellor try three causes ; method sum- 
mary. 

May 9. To Chelsea; took tea with Mrs. Timmins ; 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 379 

Robert Hallowell first acquainted me with Clark Pickman's 
death. 

TO RICHARD WARD, ESQ., SALEM. 

London, May 11, 1782. 
Dear Sir : 

Should your great and good ally obtain the two only very 
probable objects of her American alliance, the impoverish- 
ment of Great Britain and the consequent seizure of the late 
English Colonies, which she seems at present in a fair way 
for, no man on this side the Atlantic in his wits would, I 
think, whatever regard he may feel for his native country, 
willingly forego a bare subsistence here for French domina- 
tion and wooden shoes there. I would just suggest to you, 
should America in this hour refuse the offers Great Britain 
may make of a separate peace ; or France refuse to suffer 
her, (for we well know here the power she has acquired over 
her,) and no partition treaty take place, (being in the present^ 
situation the best to be expected,) depend upon it, you fath- 
ers of the present age will have it in your power ere many 
revolutions of the sun, to tell your children the inestimable 
civil, religious, and political privileges you of this generation 
have wantoned away, and with sad regret recount the happy 
condition of former days ; nor will the comparison with those 
you will then mournfully experience between English protec- 
tion and French oppression, fail to enhance your misery. 
You will then find the little finger of French power heavier 
than the loin of the English Government, with all its appre- 
hended train of evils. As a proof of my needless fears or 
right judgment, convey my kind love to your wife and chil- 
dren. Your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO HON. JONATHAN SEWALL, BRISTOL. 

London, May 12, 1782. 
Dear Sir : 

Confined as I have been, for near two years, to a very nar- 
row circle without variety, like monotony in music, every- 
thing about me is become insipid. I am therefore going into 



380 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

a scene of new objects, and hey for Flanders for a month. 
Naturalists say change of air, even from bad to worse, is 
good for the health of the body ; that of the Netherlands 
must, I think, be certainly salubrious and nutritive. How 
happy should I be to have so agreeable a companion as 
Judge Sewall. Who knows what effect a month's residence 
may produce? For my part I fancy my thin lathy body in 
that air, and by the use of rich generous Burgundy, etc., pro- 
curable there at a cheap rate, may increase to a manly bulk. 
My heart would dilate with pride and pleasure to receive a 
note of compliance with my request — nor should I be dis- 
pleased if your kinsman Samuel Sewall should join and 
make a trio. Please remember me to your family and those 
of our countrymen with you with whom I am acquainted. 

Very truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

May 12. It is suggested that the new Administration mean 
to increase the power of the Crown by their projected new 
militia. As they have, or one of them at least, deceived the 
people by frequently declaring he had a peace in his pocket, 
when the event showed the falsehood of those declarations ; 
should their other pretensions prove as futile and groundless, 
they will deserve the execration of this and future genera- 
tions, and will, I hope, meet a deserved fate. At best, how- 
ever, I expect not much good, and think ours an ill-compacted 
junto of very short duration : their principles are not uniform 
nor concurrent. 

May 17. At New England CofFee-House heard the glori- 
ous news of Admiral Rodney's defeat and capture of the 
French Admiral de Grasse, with five capital ships, and one 
sunk. With Mr. Dalglish to Chelsea College Gardens — 
thence to Mr. Timmins's to tea. 

May 18. Trinquemale, the strongest garrison belonging 
to the Dutch, and called the Gibraltar of the East Indies, 
being the principal fortress on the island of Ceylon, has been 
captured by Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, who was going 
against another fort, which he hoped to reduce. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 381 

May 23. Dined at New England Coffee- House with New 
England company. 

May 24. With Mr. Dalglish went to Maddocks the florist's 
exhibition of tulips ; he pointed out the bell king and bell 
queen stocks, a beautiful and singular plant, which he is un- 
able to increase, having derived but one offset in twenty-two 
years ; had been offered twenty-two guineas for it ; the tints 
are exquisitely fine. 

This day arrived further advice of Sir Samuel Hood's cap- 
ture of two more French men-of-war, viz., L' Esprit of eighty 
guns, and Philo of seventy-four, and two frigates, the Ami- 
able, thirty-two, and Ceres, eighteen, in the West Indies. 

May 25. Loitering through St. James's Park, and seeing 
many people collected around the rails of Buckingham House, 
stopped to see the Prince of Wales, who soon appeared in a 
phaeton with Col. Tarleton, who, I was told, is frequently to 
be seen with him. 

June 3. Crossed Westminster Bridge to visit Mrs. Hay and 
Mr. Dalglish. 

June 9. It is reported that the Russian Ambassador an- 
nounced that the Czarina has declared, in case the Dutch re- 
fuse the offer Great Britain has made, which she pronounces 
liberal, that she will assist the English with her fleet, — eigh- 
teen for channel service and twenty against the Dutch. 

June 26. To Queen Dock, Wapping, to see Capt. Coombs 
on board a ship he is appointed to keep guard in; stepped in 
at Long Room, Custom-House. 

June 28. To Mark-lane corn-market, to inquire for Indian 
corn, and was told there had been none for two years. After- 
wards met Mr. Flucker in the Park, and conversed with him 
half an hour. Met T. Goldthwait, and rode with him to 
Charing Cross ; invited me to dine at his house, Waltham- 
stow. 

June 29. Took a long walk with Mr. Hutchinson. Met 
a man with a mug in his hand, which he said was once the 
famous Shakspeare's, and that he inherited it from his wife's 
father, who was heir to all Shakspeare's effects, being a de- 
scendant from him in the female line ; and that Garrick had 



382 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

offered ten guineas for it when he celebrated the Jubilee at 
Stratford-upon-Avon. The " Public Advertiser " to-day says, 
"Administration have very laudably determined on withdraw- 
ing their pensions from the American Refugees ; so that next 
year," says the writer, " we may hope for some more hay- 
makers than we are able to get for the present harvest." An 
ill-natured and I hope untrue declaration. 

July 1. Visited Parson Peters ; meeting there Parson Wis- 
wall accompanied him to Battersea Bridge, having stepped 
into Don Saltero's cafe, Chelsea, and drank tea. 

TO REV ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

Near Brompton Chapel, July 2, 1782. 
Dear Sir : 

You desire me to be communicative about myself — a poor 
subject, truly, to write about. I am, however, to thank you 
for your solicitude, and at present, as you see by the date, am 
very near the house of God, but never enter therein, keeping 
steady to our conventicle in Essex-street, Strand, which is 
my regular and constant Sunday's resort ; retaining still my 
old New England prejudice of observing the fourth com- 
mandment. My health is better than usual, having escaped 
the epidemic hitherto. 

Three days since I received a letter from T. B., wherein he 
acquaints me that our friends are well. I presume you have 
heard of the death of Judge Lynde and Clark Pickman. 

Your townsman Allen is dead, leaving Sir William Pep- 
perell and George Erving his executors, directing that his 
remains shall be removed after the troubles to the vault under 
King's Chapel, Boston. 

We have an American Thursday Dinner Club at the New 
England Coffee-House. 

Very truly your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

July 3. Meeting Parson Wiswall, on whose recommenda- 
tion I went to Battersea to engage lodgings for a fortnight ; 
from thence to his church and attended prayers, where were 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 383 

present nine in the house, exclusive of nine parish boys. 
From thence we set off by agreement on a walk to Kingston 
on the Thames, nine miles, arriving at the " /Sww," where took 
a cold repast, a pottle of strawberries ; arrived at lodgings 
before nine o'clock. New arrangement of Ministry : Lord 
Shelburne, Eirst Commissioner of the Treasury ; Earl Temple, 
Secretary, in lieu of Chs. Jas. Fox ; and Mr. Pitt, a favorite 
patriotic speaker, in lieu of Lord Shelburne ; Burke out, and 
Barre also, with a pension of X3,200 per annum ; Duke of 
Manchester, Lord Chamberlain. 

July 4. Went to London to the Thursday dinner at New 
England CofFee-House. 

Juhj 5. Went to Westminster, and in the lobby of the 
House of Commons heard that Charles J. Fox, Lord John 
Cavendish, Edmund Burke, and General Conway, have been 
dismissed from the King's service ; the former on account of 
his speech last Monday, declaring the independency of Amer- 
ica to be agreed on, which Lord Shelburne denied, having 
steadily refused his consent thereto. Lord Rockingham's 
death, which happened last Monday, has very probably 
hastened the present event. Returned as far as Mr. Elisha 
Hutchinson's, Brompton, and drank tea with the family. 

July 11. Dined as usual at New England Fish- Club Din- 
ner. The King prorogued Parliament, and made a speech 
from the throne in his robes and crown. 

July 16. At Parson Peters's met young Parson Clarke, 
and observing him speak articulately, and with some degree 
of clearness, expressed my surprise ; and inquiring the cause, 
he told me his speech came to him on a sudden, and on the 
very day seven years that he was first seized with the inca- 
pability of uttering sounds. 

July. 21. To Kensington Gardens ; there met Thomas 
Danforth and Samuel Porter ; the latter related an account 
of his voyage to Oporto. 

July. 22. Went to Clapham Common to dine with Mr. 
Gilbert Harrison ; Mr. Toulmin and his lady's mother there. 
Returned through the fields ; the hedges perfumed by sweet 
smelling blossoms. 



384 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

July 25. Had a view of the Duke of Cumberland's sail- 
ing match on the river, from Mr. Hay's summer-house on the 
bank. River covered with barges and boats, oars, scullers 
and sails ; the Duke in his own barge, ensign red, having an 
anchor and a length of cable in gold-leaf depicted thereon. 
A great concourse attended; he was, in going,. saluted by a 
discharge of small cannon ; the boats departed from Black- 
friars Bridge ; length of course to Putney Bridge ; premium a 
silver cup of X50 value. 

July 27. Dined at New England CofTee-House on fish, in 
company with Mr. Fiucker, Francis Waldo, Mr. Hutchinson, 
Thomas Goldthwait, etc. 

July 29. Through Hackney to Walthamstow, where dined 
with Mr. Goldthwait. 

August 3. In passing Bird-cage Walk had a slight glimpse 
of Count de Grasse at Sir Peter Parker's window ; he is a 
stout, very tall man. 

August 4. At Battersea Church ; the vicar, Parson Gard- 
ner, preached. 

August 21. Wrote Mr. Elisha Hutchinson at Birmingham. 
Afterwards went to Capt. Coombs's at a Mr. Birch's, beyond 
Folly Bridge, Dockhead ; on the door of a meeting-house I 
passed observed the following words written in chalk, " We 
have erred and strayed" Unless the supporters of the doc- 
trine of necessity, or even expediency, of a universal con- 
formity to a state establishment of the form of religious 
worship, can lay its foundation in reason or a command in 
holy writ, I defy the ablest disputant to prove me or any Dis- 
senter in England or elsewhere guilty of a fault in adhering 
to a different mode of external worship, or schism in a bad 
sense. On the contrary, all political establishments being 
tinctured with the reigning principles of the times when they 
were founded, and men's notions and opinions changing with 
fashions, usages, customs and language, a continued same- 
ness is utterly impossible ; the endeavor therefore to compel 
men is offering a violence to the understanding, and denotes 
the character called in Scripture the man of sin, wherever 
found. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 385 

August 28. Over Westminster Bridge to Mrs. Chapman's, 
Kensington, to visit Mrs. Hay. Mr. Danforth called. Drank 
tea at Parson Peters's. 

August 31. This day the papers announce Prince William 
Henry's death,^ at New York, being the second breach in the 
royal family, Prince Alfred, the youngest, having died last 
week. There remain a dozen yet, a heavy burden on the 
national finances. Called on Mr. Danforth, and there met 
Mr. Brewer, late Governor of Bermuda. Mr. Danforth is 
assisting him in preparing his papers, in answer to sixteen 
allegations or acts of complaint lodged in the King's Council 
against him. 

Sept. 1. Attended worship at St. Martin's ; Mr. Harrison 
preached to a full assembly. After describing Christian pov- 
erty of spirit, and assigning some reasons why Christ began 
his first public discourse by recommending this virtue, he 
mentioned two sorts of men who were wholly destitute of it, 
viz., those Calvinistic professors who pretended to a certainty 
of their salvation, and those who claimed it as a merit due 
to their good works ; both of whom he pronounced deficient 
in the distinguishing characteristic of Christ's religion. 

Sept. 3. Capts. Peters and Walker called and took tea 
with me ; the former a brother of Parson Samuel Peters, the 
latter from Worcester. 

Sept. 5. In walking through Parliament-street and seeing 
crowds running through Scotland-yard, joined them, and on 
inquiry found they were accompanying Parson Lloyd, a 
clergyman, returned from Bow-street Justices' examination 
to Westminster Bridewell, from whence he was taken this 
morning on a complaint of highway robbery ; and it is said 
he is identified. He seemed hardened, and of a rough, bold 
cast, and begged with a careless boldness money of every 
well-dressed person that passed as he was being conducted 
to prison in irons ; his right hand being also chained to an 
officer's, or one of the justice's men. 

Sept. 6. Called at Mr. Wiswall's to accompany him to 

• Premature — he became King at the decease of his brother, George IV. 

33 



386 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Holywell-lane, as far as the gateway of King John's Palace, 
which he never had seen before. 

Sept. 7. Over Westminster Bridge to turnpike head of 
Kent-street, designing to go to Edmund's great gardens at 
Deptford ; but the time being far spent, and they a mile and 
a half distant, I proceeded no further ; and turning my steps 
homeward, passed through Kent-street, a long narrow one, 
of low ordinary houses, and inhabitants corresponding ; 
scarcely one reputable person appearing in view. 

Sept. 9. To Mr. Edmund's house, the great Deptford 
gardener, to see his asparagus lot of forty acres. 

Sept. 11. Went with Mr. Peters to Mi*. Hunter's seat at 
Hampstead, West End : arrived at one o'clock ; kindly wel- 
comed, dined, drank tea, and departed at six o'clock. Pass- 
ing through the fields, arrived at the Edgeware Road, where 
one of the Queen's coaches returning to town received us in. 

Sept. 13. Called on Parson Peters, from whom learned 
more of the convulsed state of Massachusetts and Connecti- 
cut than I had heard before. The people there are more im- 
patient than elsewhere under public expenses, and retain 
more of the old Republican leaven ; but I know not whether 
they have not more political discernment and attend more 
closely to the steps of their rulers ; and in truth the Bible, 
the laiv-book, and the g-un, are more used there than in any 
part of the English dominions ; therefore more than any- 
where else on the face of the globe, — no other country having 
had so great a share of political and civil liberty. By the 
packet from New York, Sir William Pepperell here has re- 
ceived a letter from the Rev. William Walter there, inform- 
ing him that the counties of Worcester and Hampshire, in 
the Massachusetts Bay, have declined sending members to 
the Provincial Assembly, and also the payment of the tax of 
eight shillings on each head through the United States, laid 
by Congress, amounting to four millions of hard dollars, and 
that it had only raised twenty thousand. That the said 
counties had sent to know of Sir Guy Carleton on what 
terms Great Britain would receive them. Also that courts 
of justice and all law proceedings were stopped in Berkshire 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 387 

as well as in Worcester and Hampshire, a general uneasiness 
having taken place by the Congress's requisition to pay the 
tax in hard money. 

It is also reported that Dr. Saunders had received private 
letters, acquainting him that four of the Colonies had pro- 
tested against continuing any longer their French alliance* 

&ept. 14. Walk to Smithfield Bars ; saw for the first time 
since its demolition old Hicks's Hall, a few remains and rub- ' 
bish only, leaving road to St. John's-street very commodious 
and wide. 

Lord Howe sailed with thirty-four ships to the relief of 
Gibraltar. 

&ept. 26. It is announced that a commission was last 
Tuesday perfected under the great seal, empowering General 
Sir Guy Carleton and Admiral Digby at New York to ac- 
knowledge American independence ; and to treat with Con- 
gress, or either of the Thirteen States, or any body of men. 
A fine bargain, truly, has this once powerful wealthy State 
offered to their lately despised Colonies. But human policy 
sometimes overshoots its mark; human wisdom is narrow, and 
human designs are controlled by a wiser director than governs 
Court cabinet councils, and who acts on broader plans. 

&ept, 30. Went to the city to deliver a letter for convey- 
ance to Rev. Mr. Peters ; from Blackfriars Bridge had a sight 
of city barges with flags displayed, rowing down stream ; 
having the Sheriffs, Lord Mayor and Aldermen returning 
from Westminster Hall, the former being this day sworn into 
office by one of the Barons of the Exchequer. 

Oct. 4. Advices received at Lord Shelburne's that the 
siege of Gibraltar is raised. 

Oct. 7. It is reported to-day that the Spanish floating 
gun-batteries had been defeated before Gibraltar ; eleven 
burnt, sunk, and destroyed, having one hundred and ninety- 
three brass cannon of twenty-four pound shot, besides one 
hundred and fifty iron, same calibre ; between fifteen hundred 
and two thousand men ; it having been a general assault, 
begun on St. Louis's day, September 9th, and completed 
13th ; three hundred poor souls General Elliot picked up in 



388 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

the water after the batteries were sunk, and sent them in the 
same day to their friends and country : this by a letter from 
the Hague. 

TO MR. ANDREW DALGLISH, GLASGOW. 

London, Oct. 7, 1782. 
Dear Sir: 

In Hampshire, the opposition to Government has been so 
general and violent as to require a body of French soldiers 
to be sent against them, who, on attempting to reduce the 
insurgents, were attacked, and some lives on both sides lost, 
without accomplishing the purpose of their errand.^ Yet for 
all this, there is not the least disposition in general, as a State, 
to accept of the terms Great Britain has offered without the 
concurrence of their great and good ally. On General Carle- 
ton's Proclamation, the Congress and Continental Govern- 
ments declared it insidious, and despised the offer of indepen- 
dence, which they contemptuously said did not depend on 
the consent of Great Britain. 

The letter you inquire about was written by Parson Wal- 
ter, whom you know very well, and is of the same complex- 
ion with all advices received from that quarter, which, ever 
since the commencement of this quarrel, have been amusing 
the public with assurances of a speedy reduction of the rebel- 
lion, as they term it ; florid descriptions of the desperate sit- 
uation of the rebel army; the sufferings of the country, a 
growing dislike of Congressional authority, mutual heart- 
burnings and quarrels amongst its members, and an increas- 
ing affection towards the mother country ; all which from the 
first I disbelieved, and it now proves in event, after a course 
of six years' delusion, to have been the phantom of a heated 
party imagination. 

I have seen at large a relation of the distresses and inabil- 
ity of the New York Government, under the Republican 
rulers, in a representation made by the House of Assembly 
to their Government ; the picture perhaps may serve for the 
rest of the Colonies. It is the opinion of some Refugees 

1 Wholly incorrect. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 389 

that New York is by this time evacuated, and if one may- 
judge from analogy, I think it is not improbable ; for there 
never was a time when Government had so fair a prospect 
of overturning that mighty Colossus of independency as 
now: — their distresses never greater, their resources ex- 
hausted, loans not to be obtained, French troops few in num- 
ber, and their own army dwindled to a pitiful size ; but the 
die is cast, and as the same ill star which has had the ascend- 
ant ever since this baneful quarrel commenced still contin- 
ues to shed its malignant influence, Government has formally 
offered America unconditional independency under the Royal 
sign manual. Gen. Carleton writes that the Colonies are so 
determined against all governmental connections with Great 
Britain, that if they cannot maintain their independency, 
they will declare themselves Colonies of France, and if they 
must be slaves, they will take a new yoke, however galling, 
rather than put on the old one ; this, by the way, is carry- 
ing political resentment to the highest pitch of folly and 
frenzy. 

Very truly your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Oct. 9. This day, for sundry reasons, ought to be inserted 
in the very short list of dies albi, (white days,) which I note, 
that on inspection I may refresh my memory with a pleasing 
recollection amidst the gloom, that, from a constrained ab- 
sence from my native country, but too generally overspreads 
my grief-laden mind. 

Oct. 11. Attended Mayne the banker's sale of goods, and 
also Beranger's, late gentleman of the horse to his Majesty ; 
bought nothing; things well sold. Mr. William Clarke 
drank tea with me. 

Oct. 15. I am told by Mr. Rose no orders are to be deliv- 
ered till the Commissioners, consisting of two members of 
Parliament, Mr. Coke and Mr. Wilmot, have examined the 
Refugee claimers and their claims ; that it may require more 
than a month's time. Proceeded to Oxford-street to pay Mr. 
Danforth a visit ; whilst there Mr. Hale entered. Met in 

33 * 



390 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

streets many returning from an execution of ten felons at 
Tyburn. 

Oct. 16. In conversation with a gentleman at an ordinary, 
I observed in him the prevailing characteristic infirmity of 
this nation, rendering them both envied and hated by Europe, 
viz., an overweening conceit of English bravery, accompa- 
nied with a contempt for other nations, which in this day of 
their distress they now feel the sad effects of, in the cool in- 
difference the other States view her embarrassments, though 
without producing a reformation as far as I can perceive. It 
is generally believed the French and Spaniards will retire 
from before Gibraltar on the approach of the fleet under 
Lord Howe ; in case of reverse, I know not what rage, dis- 
appointment, and despair might be the natural effects ; the 
political evils are too obvious not to be seen and dreaded. 

Oct. 17. It is reported the Bavarian Resident Minister 
has received the following important advices, viz.: that Lord 
Howe has had an engagement with the combined fleets ; 
taken twelve and destroyed seven, with the loss of four or 
five of his own ships ; all taken are Spanish, not a French 
one among them ; they retreated into Cadiz harbor, and he 
pursued his course to Gibraltar, which is thereby relieved, 
being the great object of his voyage. 

A few hours after, the above was followed by another, viz., 
that Lord Howe, in defence of Gibraltar, had surrendered to 
the successful arms of the combined fleet. 

By Captain Afflick, from New York, is arrived a confirma- 
tion of the loss of the French seventy-four, the Magnifique, 
with the Triumphante of eighty guns from the West Indies, 
under Vaudreuil, bound to Boston ; the one foundered, the 
other ran ashore at Point Alderton ; also the loss of the Brit- 
ish ship Lion of sixty-four guns, on her passage to New 
York. 'T is said also transports are gone from New York to 
take off the troops, etc., from Charleston, and that they are 
also abandoning New York ; Government being in that case 
determined to take away every difficulty respecting Ameri- 
can independence, to bring on a treaty for a general peace. 
Oct. 18. Passing through Tooley-street in the Borough, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 391 

observed the name of Southernwood on a door ; having 
knowledge of one of that name in my first voyage to Lon- 
don in 1738, 1 am determined to call and make inquiry about 
the family of Cottenbilt, with whom I then lived. 

Oct. 19. Went on a visit to Mr. Danforth ; acquainted 
him with Mr. and Mrs. Hay's compliments and invitation to 
dine to-morrow with me at their house, No. 4, Golden- 
Square ; staid till eight. 

Oct. 23. To Treasury ; gave a card with lYiy name and 
address to a Mr. Allen, Clerk to Mr. Townshend, one of the 
Secretaries of State, agreeably to an order, to be questioned 
as to my claims as a Refugee for support; the value of my 
estate and effects left behind, losses sustained, etc., etc. 

Oct. 25. Went at eleven o'clock, in compliance with a 
summons from Messrs. Wilmot and Cooke, (members of 
Parliament, chosen by the Lords of the Treasury to examine 
the claims of the American sufferers, state their claims, and 
produce vouchers,) to attend them at the American Secre- 
tary's office, Treasury-house, Whitehall. Was examined 
and dismissed, after being directed to bring a certificate of 
my being a person of property, and of steady uniform attach- 
ment to principles of Loyalty, which I propose to bring from 
the late Provincial Secretary, Mr. Flucker. 

Oct. 26. Drank tea at Samuel H. Sparhawk's, Bedford- 
Court, Red-Lion Square, and remained till nine o'clock. 

Oct. 28. Passed afternoon and evening at Mr. Danforth's, 
who assisted me in drawing up my certificate to present to 
the Commissioners. In the evening. Dr. Jeffries, a brother 
exile, called in and announced the arrival of an express with 
advice that Lord Howe is relieving Gibraltar ; the French 
and Spanish looking on him from Algeziras Bay without 
even attempting to lose ground and meet him ; an apparent 
proof that with fifty-one capital ships they thought them- 
selves unequal to his fleet of thirty-four. It is likewise 
added that the Spaniards, by the late high wind, have lost 
three ships. 

Oct. 29. Went to Mr. Flucker's with the following cer- 
tificate for his signature, viz. : " General Gage and Governor 



392 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Oliver being absent from London, we, the subscribers, do 
certify that Samuel Curwen, Esq., late of Salem, in the 
Province of Massachusetts Bay, is descended from an an- 
cient and respectable family in said Province. That he has 
been a Deputy Judge of Admiralty and Provincial Impost 
Officer, and for near thirty years in the Commission of the 
Peace for the County of Essex ; had always maintained a 
most respectable character, and was early distinguished for 
his attachment to the established Constitution of the Prov- 
ince, and its dependence on and subordination to the author- 
ity of the King of Great Britain, and was esteemed a gentle- 
man of considerable property and fortune." 

Called in the afternoon and received my certificate, signed, 
" Thomas Flucker, Secretary of the Province of Massachu- 
setts Bay." While there, joined by Col. Morrow, just arrived 
from Cowbridge, in Wales, on a like errand. 

Oct. 31. Called at Mr. Timmins's ; he was engaged in 
packing up his goods in order to remove to Wolverhampton, 
where he is about commencing business. 

Nov. 1. To Pimlico, where took tea with Parson Peters. 

Nov. 2. Reported that Lord Howe has had an engage- 
ment with the combined fleet, and has defeated and dispers- 
ed it. 

Nov. 8. Saw in my landlord's parlor the poorest noble- 
man I believe in the three kingdoms, a Lord Kirkcudbright^ 
brought up a glover, and who for years worked at this trade 
in Glasgow ; he is now a Captain in the King's Guards. 
Passing a coach, I observed its number 1000, the highest 
number licensed. 

Nov. 11. Received my order for quarter's pension of £25; 
the first given to any Refugee on the new establishment of 
no deduction to the officer of commissions. 

Nov. 25. Cold air ; St. James's Canal frozen hard enough 
to bear skating on. 

Nov. 26. The meeting of Parliament summoned for to- 
day is postponed to Thursday, 5th proximo, in expectation 
that the Commissioners at Paris may by that time come to 
their ultimate determination about peace or war ; or on the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 393 

preliminaries whereon a peace is to be founded. France and 
Holland fancy they see too well the probable consequences 
of prolonging the war, to accept the terms proposed ; pre- 
suming in the issue Great Britain must accede to what they 
shall demand, and who does not ? None, I dare say, but 
those who will not, and only such are blind. 

Nov. 27. Newspapers filled with contradictory reports 
about peace ; all dread a continuance of this nefarious, ill- 
omened, ill-judged, distracted quarrel. 

Nov. 30. Dined and passed the day at Capt. Hay's. Mrs. 
Chapman, with whom these my friends board at Kensington 
Common, near Vauxhall Gardens, says that the famous 
Sterne, author of " Tristram Shandy, ^^ " Sentimental Journey" 
etc., was totally void of the fine feelings of humanity which 
he so beautifully paints, and are characteristic of his writ- 
ings, which in respect thereto show him to be an original 
genius ; and but ill discharged the various relative duties of 
life, one instance only excepted, which was an immoderate 
fondness of an only daughter. As a proof among others, he 
suffered an aged mother, which but for the proof of it is 
hardly to be credited, to die in a jail for want of money to 
discharge a debt of twenty pounds. The public ought to 
know the character of a writer who so ill in practice exempli- 
fied what his pen so justly and beautifully describes. This 
was told her by a very intimate acquaintance of Sterne, who 
was personally informed of his whole history. 

Dec. 3. Yesterday Vergennes's secretary brought notice 
that the Commissioners appointed by Great Britain and the 
Thirteen United States had signed a provisional treaty, where- 
upon stocks rose five per cent. The following letter was 
published : — 

Whitehall, Dec. 3, 1782. 
The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor : 

In consequence of my letter to your lordship of the 22d ult., 
I take the earliest opportunity of acquainting you that a 
messenger is this moment arrived from Paris with an account 
of provisional articles having been signed on the 30th ult., by 



394 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

his Majesty's Commissioners and the Commissioners of the 
United States of America, to be inserted in and constitute 
a treaty of peace, which is to be concluded when terms of 
a peace shall be agreed upon between Great Britain and 
France. I am, etc., 

/ I. TOWNSHEND. 

Dec. 4. Called on Mr. Heard at Herald's office ; there 
learned, in a conversation with a Mr. Webb, of seeming 
great political knowledge, that at the time the House of 
Commons left the late Administration in a minority, or, in 
other words, refused to support Lord North's measures, the 
King took it to heart, and resented it so far as to declare 
he would leave them (as he expressed it) to themselves, 
and go over to Hanover, from whence his family came, and 
proceeded so far as to order the Administration to pro- 
vide two yachts to transport himself there ; whereupon the 
Queen interfered, and remonstrated against such a desperate 
measure, so fatal to her and his family, as well as his own 
personal interest. Others, too, represented the distressful 
condition to which the nation would be reduced by the ab- 
sence and want of royal authority, though it seemed to little 
effect, so sadly chagrined and provoked was he. 

Lord Rockingham also joined the remonstrants, and show- 
ed the necessity of a change of men and measures, with no 
better success ; — so naturally obstinate and pertinaciously 
bent was he on his favorite plan of subjugating his (here 
called) rebellious subjects in America, and bringing them to 
his feet, till he was told that as sure as he set his foot out of 
the Kingdom, the Parliament would declare the crown ab- 
dicated and the throne vacant, nor would he ever be per- 
mitted to reenter the Kingdom again, — which argument, it 
seems, brought him to a more cool and juster sight of the 
folly of such a step, and the absolute necessity of stooping to 
a compliance with the requisitions of the public. I do not 
pretend to indicate the measures of opposition, but a more 
unsuccessful Administration, from whatever cause it proceed- 
ed, which time will satisfactorily perhaps explain, was never 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. • 395 

before engaged to promote royal designs. What may be the 
condition of Great Britain and America at the period of the 
present distressful war, God knows; for my own part, I trem- 
ble at the event, as desirable as it may be, for I can view 
neither country without the most fearful apprehensions of 
dreadful distresses ; whoever began and voluntarily continued 
this unreasonable, pernicious dispute, does and will deserve 
the execration of this and future ages, and in the language 
of * * * *, " The child will rue, that is yet unborn, the fatal 
measures of Lord North's Administration." 

Dec. 5. The King delivered his speech from the throne. 
I went to see him robe and sit on the throne at the House of 
Lords ; he was clothed in green laced with gold when he 
came, and when he went, in red laced ; it being the custom 
to change his garments. The tail of his wig was in a broad, 
flowing, loose manner, called the coronation-tail. His abode 
in the Lords' chamber scarce exceeded half-an-hour, in which 
he read his speech of eleven pages. 

As one proof among many that might be given of the 
restraint and disguise of real sentiments on the part of court- 
iers, from the highest character in the presence chamber to 
the lowest lounger and attendant at ministerial levees, take 
the following : — When the King found himself obliged to 
take new ministers, and give up Lord North and his associ- 
ates, it is notorious that it was abhorrent to the royal mind, 
and being naturally of a pertinacious, obstinate temper, he was 
with the utmost difficulty brought to yield a reluctant con- 
sent. On the first court day after the appointment, when he 
was in a manner forced out of his closet into the room of au- 
dience, he received his new servants with a smile, and trans- 
acted business with them afterwards with as much seeming 
cordiality and openness, as if they had been in his favor, and 
in his most intimate conceits; so seemingly satisfied and so 
serene was the royal countenance, that all the newspapers 
sounded forth the gracious monarch's obliging, condescending 
goodness to the public wishes, though nothing was farther 
from his heart, had not the necessity of his affairs impelled 
him thereto. At the same time coming up to Mr. Wilkes, he 



396 • JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

said he was glad of the opportvinity to thank him for his very 
proper and laudable behavior in the late riot; took notice of 
his looks, which indicated a want of health ; advised him to a 
country air and exercise, which, said his Majesty, I find by 
experience an excellent expedient to procure and preserve 
health ; all this with the same apparent sincerity, as if they 
had been in a continued course of paying and receiving com- 
pliments, congratulations, and acknowledgments for mutual 
kindnesses and good offices, though all the world knows there 
was not a man in the three kingdoms more thoroughly hated, 
nor whom he had taken a more foolish and unnecessary 
pains to ruin. The above-mentioned interview being told of 
in company, Mr. Wilkes took occasion to remark in the 
following words : — "To have heard the King, one would 
have thought I was consulting a quack on the score of my 
health." 

Dec. 6. Read the King's Speech, declaring his offer of 
independency to America, and his hopes soon of a general 
peace. 

Dec. 16. Received from a Cumberlander a note informing 
me of Miss Curwen, an heiress of said county, having mar- 
ried with a Mr. Christian, possessing a small estate adjoining 
her large one. 

Dec. 17. Dined at Capt. Hay's, with Mr. Danforth and a 
Mr. Surges, a warm opposer of American independence, who 
asserted that a great majority of his countrymen (English) 
abhor the idea, (which Mr. Danforth silently controverts,) de- 
claring they will forcibly oppose the plan ; thinks the minister 
who attempts it deserves the gallows, and will join in bring- 
ing him to it ; with this reserve only, should Lord North and 
a great majority of the Parliament coincide, then it would 
be proper for the nation to acquiesce ; he also declared his 
abhorrence of the successors "of Lord North and his asso- 
ciates. 

Dec. 20. Went to general court-martial at the Horse 
Guards, on General Murray, and abode in the crowd two 
hours, till adjournment at three o'clock ; in the course of the 
trial, a witness in favor of the impeached had been several 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 397 

times called for on account of some privateers he was accus- 
ed of being concerned in, particularly the Hannah, afterwards 
bought for Government service. Sir William Draper proposed 
that the witness should be asked whether Gen. Murray had 
received any profits on the sale of prize goods ; the demand 
threw Gen. Murray into an apparent embarrassment, and cast 
a concern on his face, to me very plainly to be seen ; but his 
witness, Neal, with an unblushing, unembarrassed, brazen 
countenance, relieved his friend by giving a direct negative- 
Sir William, expressing great astonishment, turning to him 
asked, " Do you, upon your oath, say that you do not know 
that General Murray had any profits arising from the sale of 
prize goods ? " The witness repeatedly said he did not know 
he had, which seemed to put Sir William into an agitation. 
This thorough-paced witness appeared determined not to do 
his work by halves. I know not what effect a true answer 
to the question would have had, but it seems it might have 
led to an inquiry which the General would, perhaps, be glad 
to prevent. 

Dec. 21. At court-martial, and in the course of this day's 
evidence, it appears that Sir Wm. Draper catches hold of 
every circumstance that can possibly admit of the least com- 
plaints ; and what man's conduct, who is possessed of dis- 
cretionary powers, does not ; at least, it appears General 
Murray has not acted a base, rapacious part, nor tyrannical ; 
at least, not seemingly beyond the limits of his written com- 
missions as Governor and Vice- Admiral of the island and its 
dependencies — prudently saving appearances. In the issue, 
by the complexion of facts at this stage, not to anticipate, I 
fancy he may acquit himself, if not with great honor, at least 
without blame : nor perhaps may Sir William incur the dis- 
graceful blame of Admiral Keppel's accuser. Sir Hugh Pal- 
liser. Though the prosecution of both really proceeded from 
the same cause, a real dislike ; the accusers of each, in other 
respects, stand under very different predicaments. 

Dec. 23. Two hours at the Horse Guards at General 
Murray's trial ; letters between the parties were read that 

34 



398 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

manifested sufficiently mutual heart-burnings and antipa- 
thies. 

Dec. 28. The papers announce the Refugees forsaken or 
neglected by Lord Shelburne and his compeers ; the grati- 
tude of courts ought to be reckoned among the nonentities 
of Lord Rochester's list. For my own part, I am too far 
down the hill of life to be much distressed at the events of a 
peace with America on any terms, or continued war, — let 
the younger look to it. This day completes my sixty-seventh 
year ; with more propriety than Jacob, I may truly say, 
" Few and evil have been the days of the years of my lifeP 
God best knows when a period will be put to them ; its sud- 
denness I deprecate not : may I not be unprepared for the 
event. 

Dec. 31. Walked in the Park with Robert Lechmere. 
Capt. Coombs took tea with me, and Mr. Wiswall called. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 399 



CHAPTER XVII. 

A. D. 1 783. Meeting of Refugees at Sir Wm. Pepperell's. Death of Mr. 
Flucker. Uncertain Prospects of the Loyalists. Dr. Graham's Lecture 
on Health. Meeting of the Royal Society described. Public Affairs. 
Procession in honor of Fox. Mrs. Siddons at Drury Lane. Visit to the 
House of Lords. Mr. De Berdt. Excursion to Herts. Hoddesdon. 
Letters. St. Giles's. Peace Proclaimed with France, Spain, and Hol- 
land. Nathaniel Gorham. Macklin at Covent Garden. 

London^ Jan. 6, 1783. Walked for two hours in the Park ; 
saw Lord Shelburne for the first time to my knowledge. 
He is of a middUng size and well set; walks strong and 
springy ; his dress a brown frock and boots, with a whip in 
his hand. 

Jan. 7. On an inquiry concerning Mr. Cottenbilt, I find 
he died about six years since, and his wife about twenty : two 
daughters, six and seven years old when I lodged with them 
in Whalebone-court, in 1738, are now living and widows, one 
at Enfield, and the other in Holland. 

Jan. 9. Walked to Brompton ; visited Mr. Hutchinson ; 
drank tea and passed the evening with Mr. Danforth in phil- 
osophical conversation. 

Jan. 17. Met my former townsman and neighbor, George 
Deblois, in Cheapside, whom I have not seen for more than 
seven years ; gave him my address. 

Jan. 21. In passing along Parliament-street, saw a long 
funeral procession, say fifty carriages ; on inquiry, found 
it was an oflicer named Townshend, who had served in 
America. 

Jan. 23. Advices have arrived that the British troops have 
left Charleston and arrived at New York ; and yesterday the 
Commons completely liberated Ireland from its oppressive 



400 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

thraldom, to which it has been subject to the King and his 
ministers for many years. 

Jan. 24. This day strong reports that preliminaries of 
peace are signed. It is said great sacrifices are to be made 
by the British in the East ; if that be all, it will be well. Lord 
Grantham, one of the Secretaries of State, acquainted the 
Lord Mayor that the preliminaries were signed ; this is a 
matter of joy to all well disposed to the true interest of their 
country. It is said to be a much more favorable peace than, 
all things considered, could be expected. 

Jan. 25. George Deblois and Capt. Coombs took tea with 
me and passed the evening. 

Jan. 28. Mr. Danforth told me of a meeting of Massa- 
chusetts Refugees at Sir William Pepperell's, to deliberate on 
what may be proper to be done respecting an application. 
Meeting adjourned till Saturday next at same place. 

Jan. 29. At King's Bench, Westminster Hall; heard a 
judgment on a point of law respecting the license of a Dis- 
senting meeting-house, given against the justices, who en- 
deavored to avail themselves of a subterfuge to avoid grant- 
ing it ; wherein Lord Mansfield spoke sharply to the counsel 
for the justices. Afternoon at New England Coffee- Ho use, 
reading the preliminaries of peace, which I confess astonish 
me : a tract equal to half of Europe is surrendered. 

Jan. 30. King- Charleses Day. Attended service at West- 
minster Abbey ; a considerable throng of fellow- worshippers 
in the great aisle of the choir ; my station or seat was in the 
prebend's stall. Dr. Bagot, the lately elected Bishop of Bris- 
tol, of a most diminutive size, preached a loyal Court sermon, 
giving the Church of England's styled loyal martyr a most 
exalted character ; which, if just, that unhappy prince has 
been sadly misrepresented. He did not, however, descend to 
scurrilities or abuse ; thorough-paced in hierarchical princi- 
ples, but not intolerant. 

Feb. 1. Attended a meeting of Refugees at Sir William 
Pepperell's house, Wimpole-street, to consider of somewhat 
to be done respecting an application to Parliament, if agree- 
able to Administration. Chose Sir William Pepperell agent 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 401 

to inquire of Mr. Secretary Townshend, and Lord Shelburne, 
first Lord of the Treasury, if this course is acceptable to 
them. 

Lord North approves of it, and advises all the Colonies to 
unite together. Broke up at three o'clock ; number present 
thirty-three, — being all or nearly all in town that had received 
Treasury allov^ances. 

Feb. 3. Met my countryman, Mr. John Powell, from Lud- 
low ; also met Mr. De Berdt, whom I had not seen for seven 
years; he having resided in the country since his marriage, 
six years ago. Agreed to dine with him to-morrow. My 
townsman, Samuel Porter, also came to see me ; neither time, 
climate, change of place or circumstances will ever alter this 
man's character ; I never knew one whose characteristic qual- 
ities are so deeply impressed as his. 

Feb. 5. Attended the adjournment of the Massachusetts 
Refugees at Turk's-Head, Gerard-street, Soho ; when Sir 
William Pepperell reported that Lord Shelburne, by Mr. 
Secretary Townshend, thought the present an improper time 
to present a petition to Parliament. We enlarged his pow- 
ers, etc., and after much conversation on sundry particulars 
adjourned to next Saturday week at same place. Thirty 
present. 

Feb. 7. By the papers of this day it appears that the rati- 
fication of the preliminaries was signed by the French King 
on the third instant, and are arrived here as soon as com- 
pleted. The part of France received by Mr. Fitzherbert 
and forwarded. The Dutch have not yet acceded. An 
armistice or cessation of hostility by sea agreed on between 
us. 

Feb. 11. Informed that Sir William Pepperell has sum- 
moned a part of the Massachusetts Refugees to meet at 
" Turk's-Head " for a special occasion : called at the Treas- 
ury, was informed that a board would be held this week, and 
the Commissioners' Report acted on, and orders respecting 
the Americans given out. 

Feb. 13. Notified to attend a meeting of Refugees : 
voted to empower Sir Wm. Pepperell to join in a petition to 

34* 



402 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Parliament malgre le ministre d'etat^ (in spite of the Minis- 
ter of State.) 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

London, Feb. 11, 1783. 
Dear Sir: 

Perhaps it may not be unpleasing to you to be made ac- 
quainted that the Refugees from the Province of Massachu- 
setts Bay, under the denomination of Loyalists, to the num- 
ber of thirty-three, met at Sir William Pepperell's to consult 
about the choice of an agent to confer with the agents of 
the other Provinces, in order to form a plan for addressing, 
remonstrating, or petitioning Parliament ; but whether of the 
three I am ignorant, though present at the choice, which by 
an unanimous vote fell on Sir William ; and also to receive 
a report from him of Mr. Secretary Townshend's answer re- 
specting Lord Shelburne's approbation or disapprobation ; 
without the former it being judged improper to proceed. Mr. 
Townshend excused himself to Sir William for not having 
applied to Lord Shelburne, by pleading business, but prom- 
ised to call on him the next day, etc., if practicable, and thus 
the affair stood till the 5th inst., to which time the meeting 
was adjourned, when Sir William reported that Lord Shel- 
burne thought the present an improper time to present a peti- 
tion to Parliament. Since the meeting, I find there are those 
averse to all measures at present, and amongst others I con- 
fess myself a dissentient, for the following reason, — the King 
having taken the Refugees under his care, by recommending 
their case to the consideration of Parliament. 

Expectation is on tiptoe respecting the result of the Com- 
missioners, Wilmot and Coke, chosen by the Lords of the 
Treasury to examine, settle, adjust, and proportion the claims 
and allowances of the Refugees, who have been and are on 
the list of grantees, — before whom we in that class have 
been. Some are apprehensive of a retrenchment ; some 
have too much reason to fear a total excision ; very few, in- 
deed, have hopes of an addition. It is reported and expected 
that the petitioners who hitherto have had no allowances, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 403 

will be soon called before them to show the grounds of their 
pretences to Governmental charity, when probably some pit- 
tance will be granted. The salaries of all the officers under 
the Crown in the Thirteen United States have been for some 
time past struck off; and part to some will be given under 
the same denomination with us who have held none before. 
Judge Auchmuty, of Boston, has for these several months 
been annihilated, and reduced to the condition of a humble 
petitioner for a hundred pounds. 

Sir William finding his powers too limited, they were en- 
larged, and he is now empowered to consult and act in all 
cases in conjunction with the agents from the other Prov- 
inces, giving his private word not to take any important step 
without consulting his constituents ; which precaution was 
universally thought necessary, as Joseph Galloway is sus- 
pected of sinister designs. 

It is said that they are making great retrenchments in offi- 
ces and officers' salaries and fees. Think you while this 
spirit lasts, we, useless, burdensome aliens shall escape un- 
touched ? that we, dogs, shall be longer suffered to take the 
bread out of their own children's mouths ? I trow not. 

I fancy you wonder at the terms granted America, as all 
the world does ; but perhaps it may abate when you shall be 
told the Agent, Mr. Oswald, is eighty-two years old, has been 
a correspondent of Congress, and is a very particular friend 
of Mr. Laurens. 

As Americans will have a right by treaty to navigate the 
lakes to and from the ocean, and almost the whole of the 
country where furs are taken lies within the territories, it will 
be well if Great Britain gets any supply of that commodity 
but from the high mightinesses of America. Whether our 
rulers had any, and what concealed purpose in this American 
treaty, I have not penetration enough to discover; that it 
proceeded from ignorance is hardly supposable, if from inat- 
tention, unpardonable ; and I confess the last most likely ; 
for had the wish of Administration been ever so violent to 
compromise at all events matters with America, it is not sup- 
posable she would ultimately have insisted on such immeas- 



404 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

urable tracts, which far exceed all Europe in extent. But it 
is now irrecoverable ; the die is cast, — the ratification com- 
pleted here and sent to France, and on the 3d was ratified 
there and exchanged. That a peace was necessary, all mod- 
erate men allow, and most, that in all other respects saving 
America it is as favorable as could have been expected ; in 
my mind better. 1 think our enemies have shown laudable 
moderation. With great regard, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 

London, Feb. 14, 1783. 
Dear Sir : 

In a letter I received yesterday from my friend William 
Pynchon, Esq., of Salem, is the following : — " Capt. John 
Derby will most willingly accommodate any of his country- 
men who may wish to return with him." Capt. Derby, in a 
large ship of his brother's, is now at Nantz, to return in a 
month ; which is encouraging to all not under the ban of the 
States, and I am told their prejudices are surprisingly abated, 
and there seems a disposition to forget past animosities and 
kindly receive all the fugitives. 

^ "ff W "ff V W ^v 

This day I went to the Treasury to inquire about my al- 
lowance, and to my comfort found it stood as at first. A 
few are raised, some struck off, more lessened. Of those 
that have come to my knowledge. Gov. Oliver's is lessened 
XlOO, out of X300; Mr. Williams, who has married a for- 
tune here, is struck off; Harrison Gray, with a wife and two 
children, struck off ; his brother Lewis lessened to .£50; D. 
IngersoU reduced from .£200 to £100 ; Samuel H. Sparhawk, 
from .£150 to X80 ; Benjamin Gridley, from £150 to XlOO ; 
Thomas Danforth's, Samuel Sewall's, Samuel Porter's, Peter 
Johonnot's, G. Brinley's, Edward Oxnard's, and mine, con- 
tinue as at first; Chandler's raised <£50 ; Samuel Fitch's 
<£20 ; Col. Morrow's £50; one whose name I forget is sunk 
from XlOO to <£30; and many names and sums totally for- 
gotten. On the whole, it is said the sum paid last year to 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 405 

Refugees, amounting to near .£80,000, is now shrunk by the 
late reform to ,£38,000 ; and if the Commissioners act on the 
same frugal plan respecting the petitioners whose cases will 
probably soon be considered, I very much doubt whether the 
sum of last year's expenditure under this head, including all 
their additional allowances, will not exceed this year's. 

This is the great, the important day on which the prelimi- 
naries are to undergo a most critical and severe discussion, 
and will determine the fate of Lord Shelburne's Administra- 
tion ; news unluckily for it has arrived, that the Government 
of Virginia has declared they will pay no regard to any re- 
monstrance, or request, or requisition respecting Refugees, 
which manifests the fatality of the preliminary article recom- 
mending the same. Your faithful friend, 

S. CuRWEN. 

Feb. 17. Mr. Flucker died suddenly in his bed yesterday 
morning, and is the forty-fifth of the Refugees from Massa- 
chusetts, within my knowledge, that have died in England. 
He was Secretary of State for Massachusetts. 

Feb. 18. Mr. Deblois told me that Virginia had expressly 
declared they would not regard any remonstrance, requisi- 
tion, or request of Congress respecting the Loyalists of their 
Province, as the fifth Preliminary Article between Great 
Britain and America stipulates : the fatality of which was 
visible enough before this proof. It is likely the rest of the 
States will copy so laudable an example, and exhibit thereby 
to the world a specimen of their power, want of virtue, mod- 
eration, and disregard to the principles of humanity. Shame 
to Great Britain that these unhappy persons stand in need of 
a recommendation promising such small efficacy — a strik- 
ing lesson to future generations never to support the reins of 
Government against the determined resolution of a very nu- 
merous people. The House of Commons did not rise till 
seven o'clock this morning ; being engaged in debate on 
Preliminary Articles of Peace, and Provisional Articles be- 
tween Great Britain and America. The magnitude and im- 
portance of the subject deeply employs the attention not 



406 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

only of the managers, but the public universally, who are all 
ears for the result. Lord Shelburne and Administration are 
left in a minority by sixteen in the Commons. In the House 
of Lords, strong opposition to the terms of peace. Eng- 
lish pride cannot brook to receive the dictates of a con- 
querer. 

Feb. 19. Evening at Dr. Graham's lecture on health, in 
his " Temple of Health,'' in Pall Mall, near St. James's. The 
first room entered was properly a vestibule, from whence 
through folding-doors one passes into the apartment holding 
the electric bed, about seven feet square, raised three feet 
from the floor ; over the frame at the head are fixed two balls 
gilded, of four inches diameter and one inch apart, to receive 
the electric spark from the machine above, continued down 
in a glass tube through the floor. Passing this, you enter 
the Room of Apollo, through a narrow entry, having on each 
hand two or three niches containing statues gilded, about 
half the natural size. The first object that meets the eye is 
the Temple of Apollo, being a round cupola five feet in 
diameter, supported by six fluted pillars of the Corinthian 
order and eight feet high, in imitation of scagliola ; in the 
centre stands a tripodal frame with concave sides, on which 
rests in each angle a lion couchant, supporting a long frame 
for the branch of six or eight lamps, adorned (or rather over- 
charged) with crystals, whose tremulous motion by the com- 
pany's walking adds great brilliancy to the appearance, the 
walls all around having many branches with three candles 
each, besides two more large central branches, suspended by 
gilt chains from the ceiling. The decorations in the frippery 
kind are in great profusion in this as well as in the other 
room, consisting of glass in various forms and sizes, inlaid 
and hanging; many gilt statues of Apollo, Venus, Hercu- 
les, Esculapius, etc., besides a few pictures. The master dis- 
covered a ready elocution, great medical knowledge, and 
appeared well qualified to support the character he as- 
sumes. 

March 4. Called at G. Deblois's lodgings, and found that 
he sailed for Halifax on the 1st. Met Capt. Coombs, who 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 407 

informed me that Mr. Rowe, at Treasury, was drawing our 
pensions ; hastened and received my order. 

March 7. Government unsettled. Old Administration out, 
no successors agreed on. Lord Gower has been solicited by 
the King to accept the Premiership, or to be First Lord of the 
Treasury; the Lord Chancellor and Charles Jenkinson are 
of the Interior Cabinet. It is said the King has scarce eaten 
these two days, and is violently reluctant to take Charles J. 
Fox into his counsels ; and the party wherein he is engaged 
is by far the most powerful, to which Lord North has lately 
allied himself; to separate which has been the King's en- 
deavor, but it seems without success. It is generally thought 
the King must at length yield. He will have to adopt the 
whole Rockingham party, or suffer the wheels of Government 
to stop till Parliament remonstrate, which it soon must if the 
arrangement is not immediately made, all national business 
being at a stand. 

March 15. Administration not fully settled ; the King 
claiming the right of filling up vacancies in the Cabinet in 
case of death or removal, and the new Administration de- 
manding to have none added but by their consent, that there 
may be no jarring among themselves; and they will not act 
till this be settled. 

March 17. Visited Mr. Richard Clarke ; thence to the 
Treasury, to inquire when the Commissioners were to meet 
again, and meeting Mr. AUeyn, a clerk, was informed about 
Mrs. Gen. Winslow's ^ allowance ; finding a mistake had 
been made by Mr. Rowe to her prejudice, I proceeded to in- 
form her brother Clark of it, and from thence to her own 
lodgings ; she being absent I returned, and stopping at her 
sister Deblois's, found her there, and rejoiced her heart by 
acquainting her that her allowance stood as at first granted, 
and received her thanks. 

March 19. Walked to Park. Meeting Mr. Thomas Hutch- 
inson, joined and accompanied him to Hyde Park Corner ; 
he acquainted me that Col. Phips, who is just arrived, relates 

1 Lady of Gen. John Winslow, of Marsbfield, a Refugee. 



408 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

that, during his captivity at Boston, he was civilly treated by 
all ranks, and although obliged to reside at Cambridge, the 
State forbidding strangers a residence at Boston, he could 
easily obtain leave to visit there in the daytime. 

TO ANDREW DALGLISH, ESQ., GLASGOW. 

London, March 17, 1783. 
Dear Sir : 

My design herein is to give you my crude, and ask in re- 
turn your better digested thoughts, on the present critical 
situation of Great Britain and the States of North America. 
However exulting they may feel in this first hour of their deliv- 
erance from British governmental authority, they have in my 
poor opinion an immeasurable distance of road to travel over, 
intercepted with bogs, precipices, cloud-topped, scraggy moun- 
tains and deep valleys, before they will be able to arrive at an 
improvable champaign country, where ease, plenty and con- 
tent are to be found : in other words, that country abounds 
in lawless, ungovernable subjects, disposed, however, to imi- 
tate the vices, follies and luxurious fashions of wealthy States, 
with comparatively little running cash, immense debts, no 
funds established, and permanent and powerful creditors to 
account with. I was yesterday told by Mr. R. Clarke that 
Massachusetts was answerable for a yearly interest of 
twenty thousand sterling due for a loan. We are at this 
period in this country in a kind of anarchy ; no settled Ad- 
ministration, the most important national concerns neglected 
or delayed. 

The Rockingham party is, evidently, the most numerous, 
and therefore most powerful, and, since the coalition between 
the man of prerogative and the man of the people, the latter, 
very justly so styled, can carry all before him. The great 
obstacle, however, to a full establishment of the Cabinet is, 
it seems, whether the present Lord Chancellor and Lord 
Stormont shall be of it; which the King insists upon, design- 
ing them, if he can prevail to bring them in, as checks on 
the rest, — these two being professed abhorrers of the present 
designs of the embryo Administration. The other point is 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 409 

the King's right to fill up vacancies that may happen by- 
death or removal, which is refused him, saying they will have 
none but those in whom they can confide. If the King gains 
his point, affairs will go on in the old channel, and there will 
be no reform ; if he yields, he will scarcely be more than a 
Doge of Venice, and the Cabinet will rule and possess the 
whole power of the State. 

Respecting the public, it seems to be of no importance 
who is in or who is out ; all are in pursuit of one plan inva- 
riably to the neglect of the general welfare, or more properly 
at the expense of it. In this inter-reign Lord Shelburne sits 
and acts in the Treasury, and Mr. Pitt as Chancellor of the 
Exchequer. As to the character of the former, though I 
profess no veneration for him, yet, as an active Minister at 
the head of affairs, whether the public could, in this crisis, 
have been better served, is a doubt in my mind, notwithstand- 
ing the clamor raised by the newspaper writers. I fancy if 
you will read his speech of the 14th February, and that pub- 
lished in the " Advertiser " of this day, you will see more rea- 
sons for the Minister's justification than disappointed pride, 
private interest, personal dislike and party rage will allow ; 
but when one reflects on the almost universal cry of the na- 
tion for peace ; the act of the legislature last session, wherein 
the independence, the only bone of contention, was as good 
as given up, and the King almost commanded to put an end 
to the war in America ; the insupportable load of the na- 
tional debt, and without some capital reform, which in a time 
of war is utterly impracticable, will in the event prove so ; 
the ruinous prospects from a decided superiority in the East 
and West Indies, which would have enabled our proud, re- 
vengeful enemies to require much more humiliating demands 
than the present terms ; one would think the nation should 
rather rejoice to have escaped so dreadful a catastrophe as a 
continuance most probably might have brought on, and be 
thankful our enemies were inspired with such a moderate 
spirit. It is not to be conceived that proud, stubborn, suc- 
cessful enemies, just on the eve of obtaining the long wished 
object of their ambition, would be persuaded to relinquish 

35 



410 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

all the advantages gained in war without any compensation. 
The great moderation of the French Court under such ad- 
vantageous circumstances as they now confessedly are, was 
shown before parties appeared so prominent ; but Britons, 
unused to receive the law, cannot without hard struggles 
submit ; time and cool reflection will clearly manifest the 
wisdom of the act of last session, and if that be acknowl- 
edged, the conduct of the late Administration, meaning Lord 
Shelburne and his associates, must of consequence be ap- 
proved. 

Before the preliminaries are ratified or hostilities ceased in 
the Channel, an American ship laden with oil, with her thir- 
teen stripes flying, came into the river from Nantucket, by 
way of Ostend, and our London traders were but little less 
in a hurry ; for within a few days after the preliminaries were 
published, ten or twelve vessels were posted up in the coffee- 
houses, advertising for freights to New York and Boston. 
Nor, indeed, does Government seem much less precipitate, 
for a commercial treaty act is now under consideration of a 
committee of the whole House, and will probably in a few 
days be ready for the royal signature. The Loyalists have 
been for these two months very deeply engaged in forming 
plans to counterbalance the dreadful evils consequent on 
ministerial neglect in the late treaty. I can foresee no good 
to arise from their industry ; on the contrary, apprehend mis- 
chief, and therefore decline attending. 

What think you of returning to your late abode, Salem? 
Should it be my lot, I shall wish for a few old acquaintances, 
without which the great revolutions in public and private, 
will, I apprehend, render my return not desirable. Please 
favor me with your undisguised sentiments freely on the fore- 
going, and whatever intelligence you may think proper. 

Very truly your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

March 20. Attended the Royal Society's weekly meeting 
at Somerset House ; going into the antechamber common to 
the Antiquarian Society and Royal Society, one waits until 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 411 

an acquaintance or friend appears to procure your name to be 
set down in the list, which is read aloud by an attendant at 
the President's order ; when the Society, who are already met, 
are about to begin, each person regularly enters and takes 
his seat, (long slips being placed on either side a middle aisle.) 
At the head of the room sits the President, now Sir Joseph 
Banks, with his hat on his head, all others uncovered ; he in 
a chair of state elevated three or four steps ; just below it, 
and on the same level with the floor, is a half round mahogany 
table, having only two assessors, viz., the two secretaries : 
Dr. Matty, a person of profound knowledge and learning, but 
of a most diminutive, unpromising person ; and a Mr. Grey, 
who read the communications to the Society respecting ex- 
periments and any acquisitions of knowledge in astronomy, 
etc. Among others on this occasion was read a letter from 
the famous Herschel, lately invited from Bath to Windsor by 
the King, and for his use the round tower there is assigned : 
by his discoveries in astronomy it seems our solar system is 
travelling through the immensity of space in a progressive 
motion, which he deduces from an apparent change of rela- 
tive situation of some fixed stars most visible or of largest 
diameter, and therefore nearest to us. The election of mem- 
bers is by ballot, each member putting in his vote into the 
box, presented to each separately, which being delivered into 
the President's hands, he empties out on the desk before him, 
and after counting, declares the candidate elected (or other- 
wise) a fellow of this Society ; an instance I saw this night, 
and it is not a common sight. A candidate stands four 
months after proposed before balloted for. Dr. Cope, Bishop 
of Clonfert, being this night proposed, the President, out of 
regard to his dignity as a peer of Ireland, dispensed with the 
usual forms and proceeded to a ballot, which was not ob- 
jected to. The assembly was in number, to appearance, scarce 
short of two hundred : the room a noble one, eighty feet by 
thirty, and twenty high ; the walls covered on all sides with 
half length and quarter portraits, arranged one above the 
other, — Sir Isaac Newton's being at the head of the room 
in the centre of the middle space, and opposite the door. A 



412 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

person of modest assurance may push himself in amongst the 
company, few of the visitors being known, and no inquiry 
made on whose account one appears there. A friend en- 
gaged Dr. Fothergill to insert my name, which he entered by 
speaking to Dr. Matty, without entering his name. Every 
one who appears is presumed to have some relish for and 
acquaintance with some one or more of the branches of liter- 
ature, etc.; for that reason the Society is not strict in examin- 
ing their pretences to attend. The meeting begins at eight, 
and commonly ends at ten ; none spoke but the President, 
nor read but the Secretaries. 

March 21. Met the King in a sedan chair, accompanied 
by ten or twelve yeomen and footmen, going to St. James's. 
New Ministry is said to have been settled ; Lord North, 'tis 
said, to return to public life as a Secretary of State. If so, 
probably at the King's earnest entreaty ; otherwise it is hard 
to account for. 

March 24. To the reproach of the King and the nation, 
Government is without a Ministry, notwithstanding the daily 
reports of an arrangement; selfishness, venality, rapacity and 
dissipation are the characteristics of this age and nation ; to 
which must be added, in order to finish the picture, a total 
disregard of the idea of public welfare, which all men spec- 
ulatively consider as a necessary, but as a crazy phantom, 
aud therefore practically neglected. 

March 28. At the lobby of the House of Commons, which 
soon after meeting adjourned to Monday. Favored for the 
first time with a sight of young Pitt, that forward political 
plant; may he imitate his father as well in integrity and amor 
patricBj as in oratorical ability and natural powers. Some 
think appearances promise a more abundant harvest ; should 
he continue in the national councils the public will be highly 
favored of Heaven. 

March 29. At Treasury, informed by Mr. Rowe that Lord 
Shelburne had surrendered his seat as First Lord. No Min- 
istry settled, nor to appearance is like to be soon ; the King 
unyielding, and the candidates as stiff and uncomplying. 
The old story of Lord Bute's pernicious influence prevails 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 413 

again ; there is some advice unseen that supports the King's 
obstinacy, for I know not what else to call his non-compli- 
ance. 

March 30. At. St. James's, in the gallery ; the King and 
Queen passed through from the chapel to the green-room ; on 
leaving the antechamber I luckily, being small, crowded my- 
self under the elbow of a good-natured yeoman, and in the 
front rank had a full view of the King, Queen, Prince of 
Wales, and the court train. On the other side of the yeo- 
man stood a boy, who on the King's approach, bending one 
knee, presented a petition ; the King took it without any 
further notice, and after walking a few steps, put it into the 
hand of the lord in waiting. Soon after I departed, leaving 
the gallery filling, and the passage under the piazzas in the 
court middle lined double on both sides, to have a sight of 
the company going up. 

March 31. Samuel Porter, Peter Frye, and myself, visited 
Mr. Hughes at dinner and tea. 

April 2. Read a Boston newspaper, where I saw poor 
Coombs's estate in Marblehead advertised for sale. I really 
pity my poor fellow refugee, and think him cruelly treated by 
his savage townsmen. This day's paper announces Admin- 
istration settled : — 

Duke of Portland, First Lord of the Treasury. 

Lord John Cavendish, Chancellor of the Exchequer. 

Lord North and Charles J. Fox, Secretaries of State. 

Lord Stormont, President of the Council. 

Earl of Carlisle, Lord Privy Seal. 

Lord Keppel, First Lord of the Admiralty. 

Mr. Burke, Paymaster of the Forces. 

Colonel North, Treasurer of the Navy. 

April. 5. Called at Mr. Tassey's to have a sight of the 
curious cabinet of satin wood, inlaid and decorated with 
many devices, figurative, etc., on front and sides : its contents, 
rows of drawers containing impressions of intaglios, cameos, 
seals, etc., to the number of more than six thousand, dupli- 
cated, to be sent to the Empress of Russia by her express 

35* 



414 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

order, — value, several thousands ; she is a great encourager 
of ingenious artists, particularly English ones. 

April 7. Passed a crowd attending procession in Parlia- 
ment-street, going to take the Westminster candidate, Charles 
J. Fox, from his lodgings to the hustings under St. Paul's, 
Covent Garden portico. First marched musicians two and 
two, then four men supporting two red painted poles having 
on top the cap of liberty of a dark blue color ; to each was 
fastened a light blue silk standard about nine feet long and 
five wide, having inscribed thereon in golden letters these 
words, " The Man of the People ; " followed by the butchers 
with marrow-bones and cleavers ; then the committee two 
and two, holding in their hands white wands ; in the rear the 
carriages. They stopped at his house in St. James's-street, 
where taking him up, he accompanied them in Mr. Byng's 
carriage through Pall Mall and the Strand to the hustings, 
when the election proceeded ; made without opposition, no 
competitor appearing against him. 

April 13. Called on Mr. Jonathan Williams and Captain 
Johnson, and conducted them to Essex House Chapel; Mr. 
Li ndsay .preached ; — subject, the address of the Gospel to 
the poorer and middling ranks, which shows both the wisdom 
and goodness of God. 

April 19. Met two numerous companies of sailors parad- 
ing through the streets with an ancient ; told they were going 
to demand of the King their wages, having been discharged 
without payment ; but in returning through the Park could 
get no intelligence of their having made any demand at the 
Palace or Admiralty, and conclude they had been persuaded 
to separate on a promise of speedy payment ; a number yes- 
terday having obtained the King's promise that the sailors 
should be relieved by the first instalment of the present loan 
to be made in a few days. 

May 13. Captain Coombs called early by agreement 
with me, and then departed to take coach for Kew Bridge at 
nine o'clock ; arrived at eleven ; from thence on foot through 
Kew and the terrace to Richmond, and through Twicken- 
ham to Hampton Court ; dined at King's Ajrms ; proceeded 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 415 

through the gardens to the palace, and passing through ob- 
served the paintings in better order than before ; was informed 
they were lately cleaned by the King's order, and some new 
ones brought from the Queen's house and Kensington ; re- 
turned back through Bushy Park by a returned chaise. Was 
told that Kensington Palace may be seen as well as the 
others ; and also, that Hyde Park came to the Crown by the 
Duchess of York, Lord Clarendon's daughter, the mother of 
Queens Mary and Anne, and would in eight years revert 
back, unless the King should obtain a new lease thereof. 

May 14. Went to Shoreditch workhouse to see a Mr. 
Best, who is remarkable as a most perfect textuarian, and 
without looking in the Bible refers to particular texts, repeat- 
ing the very words and all of them, to the number of many 
verses, often sometimes apposite to the circumstances of the 
applier ; — seems not at a loss for any word or order in the 
text, and repeats slowly. He first looks into the right hand, 
pretending to a great knowledge of palmistry ; among other 
parts, he applied the 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of 30th Deuter- 
onomy to me, being then a Refugee from America in London. 
His language is only in Scripture phrases ; his room, large 
in extent, is filled almost with work of his own, in straw, of 
Scripture stories ; as the creation, flood, passage of the 
Israelites over the Red Sea, etc.; — New Testament — the 
nativity, baptism in Jordan, miracle of loaves and fishes, 
broad and narrow way, crucifixion, lying in the tomb, rising 
from the dead, — called ascension, — ^ day of judgment, last 
trumpet sounding, etc. These are separate compartments 
made of straw, with divisions in the same style and materi- 
als ; he is continually, when not interrupted by company, at 
work in making small works of flowers, rings in imitation of 
large seal rings, one of which he put on my finger. By his 
ready application and repeating the very words of Scripture, 
and the places where they are to be found, he seems to have, 
got the whole Bible by heart ; after looking into my hand, 
he referred me to sundry texts, some of which, I confess, 
struck me with astonishment and confusion. Though not 
more than fifty-five years of age, he is so totally void of care 



416 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

respecting himself, that he must be put to bed and taken out, 
fed with meat and drink like an infant ; he will not bear to 
be called Mr. nor thanked for his presents; loves fruit, and 
will accept of it, but not money. The posture he receives 
his visitors in is sitting within his little straw cell ; looks on 
one only when he takes a hand to examine, and if he likes 
his visitor, on his departure seizes the hand in both his and 
kisses it warmly, bidding God-speed in Scripture phrase. 

May 19. Went out accompanied by Mr. Pickman to Drury 
Lane play-house to see Mrs. Siddons, the favorite tragic ac- 
tress of the public, in the character of Jane Shore, which she 
well supported. 

May 22. Informed that the Refugees', or, as they affect to 
denominate themselves. Loyalists', petition to Parliament is 
presented, and supported by Lord North and all in Adminis- 
tration, that all who have pensions may receive them by their 
agents, go where they will, even if they shall return to either 
of the United States. 

June 15. Joseph Hooper called and drank tea ; gave him 
a certificate as he desired, though I fancy it will be of no 
effect, respecting his property, business, and manner of living ; 
of which, as I know, I can say but little. 

June 19. Walked to White Conduit House, to see a great 
cricket match played; Lords Winchelsea, Easton, and Strat- 
haven, and Sir Peter Burrill, etc. ; a very severe headache 
drove me off the field. 

June 30. Visited the artificial flower-garden at Spring 
Gardens ; a beautiful imitation, laid out in walks, containing 
in its borders a great variety of the most curious flowers and 
many species of wall-fruit, with birds of the season and cli- 
mate placed in natural attitudes on the boughs in good pre- 
servation ; having also a small piece of water, with 2ijet d'eau 
in the centre, and a swan floating on its surface, besides a 
stream of water falling down a rugged precipice into a basin ; 
the upper part of the sides covered with perspective views, 
which enliven the room, being of faint green ground, and 
eighty feet by fifty and twenty-five high, the top almost an 
entire skylight. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 417 

July 9. At the gallery of the House of Lords ; Mr. Cooper, 
a counsellor at law, pleading at the bar in a case wherein the 
distillers were concerned ; on the third reading of bill, Lord 
Effingham rose and objected to various clauses, all of which 
were overruled, and the bill passed. A message from the 
Commons was received and read. In the former case, Lord 
Effingham called the First Lord of the Treasury, the Duke of 
Portland, who rose, and to my seeming, acquitted himself very 
indifferently ; in his person he is unpleasing in figure and 
countenance. Lord Effingham had the appearance both in 
person and dress of a common country farmer ; a green frock 
coat, with brass buttons, his hair short, straight, and to appear- 
ance uncombed ; his face rough, vulgar and brown, as also his 
hand ; in short he had the look of a laboring farmer or grazier. 
There were three bishops and twenty-three lay lords present: 
remained there two hours. 

July 11. At the bottom of Buckingham-street, on the bank 
of the river, is a very convenient stone alcove, where I met a 
foreigner, who proving communicatively inclined, I attended 
for near an hour to his relations ; the subject being the small 
degree of liberty this country enjoys compared with the 
States of Germany, particularly the King of Prussia's domin- 
ions, which he endeavored to exemplify from that monarch's 
readily redressing all acts of injustice from his courts, or from 
the oppressions of one subject to another. Another proof 
was the burdensome taxes of this country, to which the Ger- 
man States are not liable ; the demesnes of the princes, and 
other sources, furnishing them with an income independent 
of taxes. A third was the exorbitant fees and delays of jus- 
tice in oiir courts, which are just causes enough for com- 
plaint, crying aloud for redress ; which, alas ! there is but lit- 
tle reason to hope for. 

July 12. By appointment, dined at Mr. De Berdt's, a 
brother of the late Mrs. Joseph Reed of Philadelphia ; about 
six o'clock, departed with Mrs. De Berdt in her chaise for 
their country house, in Wormly parish, on Sir Abraham 
Hume's land and manor, Herts ; passing through Shore- 
ditch parish, Kingsland, Stoke Newington, Tottenham, High 



418 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Cross, Edmonton, Pender's End, Enfield, Waltham Cross, 
Theobalds, and Cheshunt. Mr. De Berdt arrived soon after 
on horseback. 

July 13, Sunday. Attended worship at a meeting-house 
in Turnford in the morning ; in the afternoon at the parish 
church, standing on Sir Abraham's ground, who is the pres- 
entee thereof; a miserable, dark, old, forsaken temple, seem- 
ingly in a state of dereliction, though its revenues are far 
from contemptible, amounting to £200 and more ; its present 
incumbent is a D. D. Accompanied my friends to the chris- 
tening of a daughter and churching of the mother ; after ser- 
vice partook of tea and christening cake. 

July 14. Set off through Lord Monson's grounds for Mr. 
Hughes's at Hoddesdon ; arrived in an hour, and passed 
another hour with him ; then returned and rode with Mr. 
and Mrs. De Berdt over the Lea and New rivers into Essex^ 
along the meadows ; leaving there, we entered a rough, lone- 
some road that continued to the top of a very long hill of 
quick ascent. On the summit stands Roydon, from whence 
forward both lands and road had a very different appearance ; 
passed Stansteadbury Church, standing on the edge of the 
eminence, and half a mile distant from the town or any 
house, except one gentleman's seat in its neighborhood, over- 
looking the extensive field called the Rye House Field, per- 
haps from the grain of that kind for which it is noted. De- 
scending into the plain, stretching for a mile or two on either 
hand, we passed the house well known in the history of 
Charles II., for the real or imaginary plot against Govern- 
ment laid there ; and also the two rivers. New and Lea, run- 
ning scarce more than ten rods asunder, through the whole 
length of the plain, and parallel to each other; at ten o'clock 
arrived home. 

July 21. Wrote to Thomas Russell, Esq., Boston, and 
introduced Mr. Coap. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 4l9 

TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM, N. E. 

London, July 26, 1783. 
Dear Sir : 

The raging fever of the times will doubtless abate, for no 
violent fermentations are lasting, but not perhaps till the pur- 
poses of raising it are answered. The political frenzy of 
your country, and the peculiarly critical situation of Ameri- 
can Refugees here, put it out of my power to be decided re- 
specting my future destination. However, as I wrote Mr. 
Ward, age and infirmities have made such inroads on me, as 
render of little importance the public decisions here or there. 
I ardently wish and pray for the welfare of both countries ; 
but to whisper a truth in your ear, I should not entertain a 
single thought of crossing the Atlantic at my advanced time 
of life, even under the pleasing prospect of a friendly and 
kind reception, was it not for the short enjoyment of my 
friends and acquaintance ; much less is the thought pleasing 
with such prospects as must present themselves to those mis- 
guided, unfortunate persons, who retired from America to 
Europe and elsewhere in the beginning and during the late 
troubles. I strongly suspect America will not find such a 
cordial and unrestricted liberty from the European powers re- 
specting commerce and the creation of a powerful navy as 
she fondly and delusively imagined. Now the hurry of war 
is over, men's minds are more at leisure to view the impor- 
tance of keeping within proper bounds the new rising States, 
of such vast extent of sea-coast, such variety of soils, such 
capability of improving its native materials, and which, if 
suffered, will grow to a dangerous height. 

Please present my kind respects to friends and acquaint- 
ance, and believe me Your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

July 27. To the Tower, and encompassing it once round 
on the ramparts, left it, and passing over Little Tower-hill, 
joined a company attending a field speaker ; one in the outer 
ring proved boisterous and severe, but the preacher was too 



420 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

much engaged to attend to the noise that disturbed most in 
that quarter. 

July 29. Called on Mr. and Mrs. Mather; afterwards 
William Vans called ; I took a stroll with him, and tea at 
Bagnigge Wells ; thence home by way of Peerless-pool and 
Moorfields. 

TO GEORGE RUSSELL, ESQ., BIRMINGHAM. 

London, July 20, 1783. 
Dear Sir : 

Your kind wishes I read with heartfelt satisfaction, for I 
meet with very few who profess the slightest regard ; on this 
subject I could enlarge, but my feelings would urge to a 
style prudence forbids me to use. You express yourself as 
one not callous to impressions of humanity, as interest and 
passion render too many ; " that when the horrors of war 
cease, there should end all animosities." I wished and hoped 
it too, but with what success the world too evidently sees ; 
not a single expectation of mine through the progress of this 
baneful war but has ended in disappointment. To keep my- 
self from all future mortifications, I am determined to take 
no further part or concern in public measures than what 
arises from unavoidable constraint by personal interest; and, 
considering the sour aspect of American politics respecting 
Absentees, I cannot but think my plan an obvious dictate of 
wisdom. Local attachment having lost its force in me, and 
so averse as I am to a tedious voyage, that, could I persuade 
a few friends that it was not for want of a due regard, I 
know not whether, at this advanced time of life, I should not 
retire to some quiet village, and there pass in undisturbed 
ease, unknowing and unknown, the short portion of my re- 
maining days. Perhaps, at your time of life, it is hard to 
conceive the propriety of the foregoing intimation ; but you 
will remember old age blunts the passions as well as the rea- 
son, and renders rigid and stiff the finer fibres of the brain, 
those vehicles of animal spirit, by means of which impres- 
sions of all kinds are less frequent and strong. 

You very justly observe that the true state of the case is 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 4^1 

not always to be known from newspaper representation, and 
I can add, scarce ever even vv^hen public instruments are pre- 
tendedly copied. However, in the present case, I fancy you 
may, without injury to truth, believe the Resolves from the 
town of Worcester to be genuine ; nor less those very curious 
ones from the New Jerseys, in the " Morning Chronicle " of 
the 26th inst., (if I have not mistaken a day or two,) wherein 
you will see the predicament of us poor Refugees in the 
opinion of our late fellow-subjects ; but party zeal is blind- 
ness as well as madness. Both the foregoing, as well as 
others of like import, I have seen in my own town newspa- 
per, called the " Salem Gazette," nor does it want confirmation 
from verbal testimony, and a multitude of letters from friends 
and foes corroborate the same. Your wish and expectation 
that the present delirium, as I call it, will not be lasting, is 
common ; it is in all men's mouths ; its continuance will, I 
dare say, be of fatal length to me, as well as in its operation. 

To show on what footing I stood before the news of peace 
had intoxicated them, take the following extracts. In one 
letter, dated 2d January last, from a worthy friend and corre- 
spondent, he says : " It is the general desire that you be 
urged to return, with assurances that you will be joyfully and 
respectfully received, and may reside here in peace and safety." 
Another writes: "Your friends and acquaintance ardently 
wish for your return, and continuance among us in peace 
and security all your days." 

The ship captain, (Holton Johnson, of Lynn,) with whom 
I came from America, was, by a revolution common at such 
periods, translated into a legislator in our Massachusetts 
Assembly. Being about two months since in London, he told 
me that had not his interest and efforts prevailed, my name 
would have been inserted in the banishment list, and my es- 
tate confiscated. The reality of this fact depends on the re- 
lator's veracity ; the reasons, if any, must be private pique 
and malice ; no public crime was ever alleged, but merely 
leaving the country in her distress. If success is justifica- 
tion, I confess guilt. 

A subsequent letter of 12th May, says : " It seems clear to 
36 



422 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

your best friends that your caution was not groundless." In 
one of June 5th : " Since plundering and privateering have 
declined, the reverend Dr. Whitaker exerts himself on the 
wharves as well as in the desk against the return of Ameri- 
cans ; let your patience and fortitude continue a month or 
two longer, and I believe that you may safely leave faction 
and party rage to spend their utmost spite without harm." 
In one of 14th June, from the same : " Mrs. P. hath been at 
Providence, etc., and finds that Rhode Island and Connecti- 
cut are surprised at the conduct of Massachusetts, as to the 
return of absentees who have not been inimical to America. 
That Mr. Sparhawk and others, who went thither from New 
York and other places, were treated with great humanity 
and respect ; that they encourage the return of Americans. 
These and other occurrences considered, I doubt not of see- 
ing an alteration of measures before the end of the present 
session of the Assembly ; I trust we shall not long continue 
to drive our own people into other States." 

The Dr. Whitaker before mentioned, of Salem, is a noto- 
rious character in America, and not unknown here, whose 
employment some years ago was that of an itinerant preacher, 
leading about a tawny native of America for people to look 
at, and hear his preachment ; he was also at the same time 
engaged in the more profitable pursuit of soliciting charity 
for the establishment of an Indian College in the frontier wil- 
derness of my country. He is usually called Dr. Meroz in 
America, from his constantly applying the 23d verse of the 
5th chapter of Judges to the poor Refugees. 

I am far from wishing ill to the cause of liberty, much less 
to that of my native country, to which, on the contrary, as a 
citizen of the world and a friend to the inalienable rights of 
mankind, I wish every kind of good, but am equally far from 
thinking America has gained its delusively fancied prize by 
independence. By some Congressional manoeuvres of late, 
a train I fear is laid for the establishment of a power much 
more fatal to liberty than Great Britain durst have aimed at, 
whilst she could have retained any governmental authority 
there. Their liberation is a doubtful proof of the Divine 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 423 

approbation of their cause. Many there thirsted after it, and 
so did the Israelites for a king, which God at length gave 
them, in his anger: and he has, I fear, given them their 
heart's desire by v/ay of punishment for wantoning away 
those singularly great advantages of a civil, religious and po- 
litical nature, with which he had favored them above all peo- 
ple upon the face of the whole earth. They often were 
used to compare themselves to God's highly favored people, 
and I truly think their case is not unlike ; mercies and pres- 
ervations as numerous, nor does their folly and ingratitude 
fail to finish the comparison. If any expressions here are 
not altogether of the complexion of your own notions, I 
know your candor will make allowances for the difference of 
our situation, though I am not aware of an unfriendly bias 
in my mind. Your faithful friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Aug-. 6. At New England Coffee-House to read the pa- 
pers, filled with relations of the rising spirit of Americans 
against the Refugees, in their towns and assemblies. Intoxi- 
cated by success, under no fear of punishment, they give an 
unrestrained loose to their angry, malevolent passions ; attrib- 
ute to the worst of causes the opposition to their licentious, 
mobbish violation of all laws, human and divine ; and even 
some of the best of the Republican party seem to think, at 
least their practice squints that way, that the supposed good- 
ness of their cause will justify murder, rapine, and the worst 
of crimes. But cool impartial posterity will pass a better 
judgment, and account for the violences of the times from 
party rage, which knows no bounds. 

TO MR. JOHN TLMMINS, WOLVERHAMPTON. 

London, Aug. 9, 1783. 
Dear Sir : 

By the newspapers from America, particularly our quarter, 

I find there remain but slender grounds of hope for success 

in attempting the recovery of debts or estates ; a general 

shipwreck is seemingly intended of all Absentees' property — 



424 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

the towns in their instructions to the Representatives making 
it a point to prevent the return of them, and consequent con- 
fiscation of all their property, notwithstanding the provision 
in the fifth preliminary article. These lawless people regard 
not any obstacle when the gratification of their angry pas- 
sions or the object of gain is in view ; some of their resolves 
perhaps you may have seen. I yesterday read in a " Bos- 
ton Gazette," published (in June) by Edes, the well-known 
sedition-trumpeter, the following, copied out for your view 
from the Resolves of the town of Lexington, of the same 
complexion with the rest of their town-meeting measures : 
" Common sense and the laws of nature and nations concur 
to pronounce them one and all aliens from the Common- 
wealth. As to the idea of admitting some and rejecting 
others, it is easy to see that the wisdom of angels would be 
puzzled to draw a line, — to determine when or where to stop. 
Upon the whole, we cannot but think it indispensably neces- 
sary for the peace and welfare of this State, and the freedom 
and happiness of the United States, that a decided part be 
taken to prevent the return and the recovery of their estates, 
and property that was formerly theirs." Though in this you 
see the temper is unfriendly and adverse, the language is 
decent. From a paragraph of to-day's paper is the follow- 
ing : " Letters by an American vessel yesterday from Boston 
brought certain information of a very unfavorable nature to 
the Loyalists, whose situation is extremely precarious, and no 
step is likely to be taken for their relief." The same letters 
add that " several parts of the country are in a state of con- 
vulsion, in a struggle to get repossessed of estates seized by 
individuals during the troubles." Sitting by Frederick Geyer 
in the N. E. Coffee-House, he said that John Amory had 
written him that he was made to hope by his friends for a 
readmission into Boston, having already been permitted to 
have a sight of his children, &c. He had received letters by 
the Callahan from Boston, by whom thirteen passengers have 
just arrived ; among them are Leonard Jarvis, Samuel Eliot, 
and a Mr. Seaver. 

I suppose you have heard of Capt. Smith's treatment at 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 425 

Philadelphia. Such, however, is the course of human affairs, 
and it may be, for aught I know of, consummate wisdom and 
a just retribution of rewards and punishments ; for I am far 
from thinking there is such a very great disproportion of hap- 
piness here below among individuals as is the common opin- 
ion, or that external circumstances are of any weight in the 
question of the quantity of human happiness of each one 
individual compared to another. In a little space of time I 
shall be dead to a sense of all these puzzling events ; it may 
be I shall see the reasonableness and equity of the providen- 
tial government in a clear and satisfactory light. 

Heartily wishing you health, success, competency and con- 
tentment, I am, with cordial esteem. 

Your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Aug-. 12. P. S. — The " London Evening Chronicle " of this 
day contains a sensible and excellent circular letter from Gen- 
eral Washington to the several State Governors, — the fore- 
mentioned directed to Governor Greene, of Rhode Island. 
If you have not seen it, the liberality of that Government 
absolves this from all imputations on the score of tolerating 
the Roman Catholics in Canada, — they having far outgone 
these by admitting persons of all faiths as well as none to a 
full participation, not only of the liberty of living and exer- 
cising their religion among them, but to all the immunities, 
rights, privileges, emoluments, and honors of the State. This 
is, I confess, carrying toleration to the very largest extent. 

S. C. 

TO RICHARD WARD, ESQ., SALEM. 

London, Aug. 11, 1783. 
Dear Sir : 

I refer you to my letter by Mr. Conant for an explicit 
answer to your question, " Do you propose to spend the 
remainder of your days abroad ? " though I do not think 
my expression, " The wished for period of my return is not 
arrived," carried any doubts of what were my intentions. 

36 * 



426 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

With regard to that event, you best can tell whether I or 
any exile from America, whatever our wishes may be, shall 
ever be suffered to make an attempt ; a subject I consider 
with some indifference, age and infirmities having made such 
inroads on my constitution as leave me but little to hope or 
fear from the result of public councils or the imprudence of 
private conduct. So far, however, am I from indifference to 
the real welfare of America, that I ardently wish moderate 
counsels may prevail, for it is the universal opinion that her 
credit and interest will be essentially hurt, should an illiberal, 
impolitic exclusion of all absentees take place. I am free to 
declare my apprehension that the lower, illiterate classes, 
narrow-minded and illiberal all over the world, have too 
much influence, and that political and civil events bear some 
proportion to the wisdom of public councils; not always, as 
instances of a contrary kind may be adduced through a suc- 
cession of many ages in the history of mankind. 

Please to acquaint the '■'■Social Library ^^ company, what- 
ever occasions they may have for a supply from hence, they 
shall be freely welcome to my services. With best love to 
my niece and your children, 

I am your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Aug. 17. Attended public worship at St. Giles's, Cripple- 
gate. The number of youthful voices accompanying the 
organ rendered that part of the service pleasing and devout. 
After service walked to the altar to see the funeral monument 
of a woman rising out of a coffin ; the inscription too high 
for me to read, but said to perpetuate the extraordinary event 
of a woman of this parish being brought to life after inter- 
ment, by the sexton's descending into the vault to cut off 
from her fingers some rings, which by swelling could not 
otherwise be recovered. Report adds, that, raising herself in 
the coffin, she quitted it and followed the sexton out of the 
church, and proceeded homewards, and arriving there at mid- 
night and knocking hard at the door, awakened the maid, 
who went trembling to her master, saying she was sure the 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 427 

knock was that of her mistress ; on going down and opening 
the door, to their astonishment found it to be her mistress 
indeed. Report further adds that this same woman lived to 
have seven or eight children. On asking the female pew- 
opener, she replied : " That is the report, but having been but 
a late parishioner, she could not say, but some thought it 
meant to denote the resurrection of the body." Below is the 
bust of the famous martyrologist, ^'■Johannes Foxus" put up 
by his son Samuel about 1590. 

Aug. 31. Attended worship at the Church of St. Austin 
and St. Faith the Virgin, — united parishes, close under St. 
Paul's, and the latter so called, as I was informed on inquiry 
at St. Paul's of the verger ; he further said that it was in the 
gift of the Dean and Chapter. A Mr. Ryder, author of a his- 
tory of England, preached an ingenious and entertaining dis- 
course. Afternoon at the Magdalen, where heard an excel- 
lent, pathetic, and finely adapted address to the tenants by 
Mr. Sellon, minister of Clerkenwell, one of the justly cele- 
brated preachers of the day. 

Sept. 3. Mr. Foster, the late appointed Clerk to Commis- 
sioners for examining Loyalists, advertises to-day for them to 
bring in an estimate of their estates, effects, losses, etc., to 
him at his chambers. Middle Temple, before the 29th inst. 

Sep. 19. Yesterday evening received a note from Mr. De 
Berdt, inviting me to accompany Mrs. D. to his country- 
house at Broxburn Herts, to pass a few days during his ab- 
sence in Wiltshire, where, after three hours, we arrived in 
Mrs. D.'s chaise before tea. 

Sept. 23. At twelve o'clock set off with Mrs. D. for Ware, 
through Hoddesdon, Ryefields, Stansfield, Mardock Mill, the 
late residence of Mr. De Berdt. 

iSept. '2.5. To Hoddesdon ; meeting Mr. James Inman and 
another gentleman, accompanied the former home. 

Sept. 26. Proceeded with Mrs. De Berdt Londonwards, 
meeting and overtaking multitudes in carriages and on foot, 
bound to the Waltham Abbey-statute for servants, — a day 
established by act of Parliament, following the last day of 
Fairs, for hiring servants. The males appear with the tools 



428 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

or insignia of their respective employments ; th"fe females of 
the domestic kind are distinguished by their aprons, viz., 
cooks in colored, nursery-maids in white linen, and the cham- 
ber and waiting-maids in lawn or cambric. Here resort all 
who want to go into, or are out of service, as well as those 
families who stand in need of servants. After a few delays, 
and the interval of three hours, arrived in London, passing 
through Clapton and Hackney, deviating from the usual road 
for variety's sake. 

Sept. 29. Visited Mrs. Hay ; first time since her return 
from Scotland. At New England Coffee-House, saw a num- 
ber of young Massachusetts men bound home in the Callahan^ 
gone down the river. In Oxford-street, called at Mr. Dan- 
forth's and S. Porter's ; both absent. 

Oct. 4. At ten o'clock, set off with Mr. D. in a post- 
chaise for Lord Tylney's seat, Epping Forest; conducted 
through the rooms and from them to the grotto, which, in my 
opinion, is the most pleasing and elegant I ever saw ; though 
Goldney's, at Clevedon, is by some esteemed before this ; 
and which, perhaps, in the richness of some of its spars may 
exceed. 

Oct. 6. This day was proclaimed peace with France, 
Spain, and Holland, with the usual formalities, at Palace, 
Charing Cross, Cheapside Conduit, and the Royal Ex- 
change ; had a sight of the procession in Pall Mall, but the 
crowds disappointed me from hearing the proclamation, or 
seeing the ceremony of admission through Temple-bar into 
the city. 

Oct. 8. At New England Coffee-House in company with 
Mr. Nathaniel Gorham, lately arrived from Boston, whom I 
had well known. He is a native of Charlestown, late a 
member of Congress, and of the Massachusetts Assembly, 
and who is now here on the score of obtaining a benevolence 
for the sufferers at the destruction of that town, June 17, 
1775, by the King's troops ; which, all things considered, car- 
ries with it such a face of effrontery as is not to be matched. 
Invited him to tea ; received a letter from my wife's brother, 
James Russell. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 429 

TO HON. JAMES RUSSELL, LINCOLN, MASS. 

London, Oct. 8, 1783. 
My Dear Sir : 

I thank you for your favor of the 21st August, the first 
from you since my unhappy abandoning my former home in 
April, '75. You write, " I give you joy on the return of 
peace ; " as far as it shall be productive of real good to the 
parties concerned, it has my approbation ; respecting myself, 
it is an event of the smallest moment, were the appearances 
in your quarter ever so bright and pleasing ; how much less 
when the thirteen late peaceable, happy Colonies are reduced 
to the licentious and gloomy condition wherein they now 
are, if general report may be depended on. In truth, were 
your sister ^ no more, there would need no Act of Massachu- 
setts or any other Assembly, or Senate, to prohibit my return. 
So far as to America and myself; now to another point, that 
is of interest. After I had written to your son Thomas, of 
Boston, on the subject, I had heard of the sale of your late 
son Charles's estate at Lincoln to your son Chambers ; I will 
presume you did not forget my demand of £300 sterling, 
and somewhat more for his bond to me, though your silence 
respecting it has since raised my apprehension. Mr. Thomas 
Russell will address you on this subject, and I trust sufficient 
will be received to remunerate him for moneys obtained on 
his credit by me for my support soon after my arrival here. 
Wishing you and your family every good, 
I remain, my dear sir, 

Your affectionate brother, 

S. CURWEN. 

Oct. 9. Received a note from Mr. De Berdt, inviting me 
to dinner on Friday with Mr. Gorharn and Mr. Barrett of 
Boston. 

Oct. 25. Accompanied Mr. Gorham to House of Com- 
mons and Westminster Abbey. 

Oct. 28. Saw Captain Nathaniel West and Captain 

1 Mrs. Curwen. 



430 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Smith for the first time ; received information from the for- 
mer that his brother Eben was living, (whom I feared was 
dead,) and about to return to Salem. 

Oct. 29. Mr. J. Fletcher drank tea with me, and related 
in detail his misfortunes, present condition, and views. 

TO MRS. ABIGAIL CURWEN, SALEM. 

London, Oct. 30,1783. 
My Dear Wife : 

The peace, or rather acknowledged dismemberment of the 
late English Colonies from their mother country, has, it 
seems, been so far from affording a prospect to such of the 
American absentees who might be willing to return back, 
that, on the contrary, from what appears, the present govern- 
ing party are determined to pass bills of final exclusion of 
all such as left their country after the troubles commenced. 
If their Government is in the hands of what their great and 
good allies call the " mesne peuple" which two short words 
you have Anglo-Gallic friends enough among you to trans- 
late, no liberal public measures are to be expected. If it was 
not for your sake, or that you would follow my fortune or 
accompany my fate, I should not hesitate for a moment tak- 
ing up my future abode, w-hich cannot possibly be but of 
short continuance, somewhere out of the limits of the Re- 
publican Government. " The world," as Adam said on his 
expulsion from Paradise, " is all before me, where to choose 
my place of rest, and Providence my guide." By this you 
see I have not fixed my views ; nor can I, prudently, till 
your Government shall have come to a final determination re- 
specting your runaways, or — as they affect to call themselves 
by the pompous character of — Loyalists; which, however, 
does them no more credit here than with you. Wishes for the 
welfare of my friends still warm my heart ; as to the rest, I 
read with cold indifference the insurrections in Pennsylvania, 
and the carryings-on in the late English Colonies, having lost 
local attachment. 

If your fortitude has increased in the proportion that your 
health and spirits have improved, perhaps you will not find it 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 431 

an insurmountable difficulty to resolve on a land tour to 
Canada, or a voyage to some other English settlement. 
Whatever shall be the result of your thoughts, let me be 
made acquainted therewith as soon as convenient. Should 
a final expulsion be concluded on, you will no longer hesitate. 

Mr. Jay and John Adams are here, and if Administration 
was kindly affected towards American sufferers, perhaps 
some good might arise ; though for my own particular case, 
I have no favorable opinion of the gratitude, or even justice, 
of kings or courts ; nor of the friendly regards of the two 
forementioned Americans towards us in the unhappy predic- 
ament of petitioners for the bounty, not to say justice, of the 
Court; from the latter, (Adams,) it is currently said and be- 
lieved, harsh declarations have fallen here as well as in Hol- 
land and France respecting us, nor has he probably changed 
his mind. The ancients say, " Qui trans mare cu?Tunt, calum 
non animum mntant.^^ ^ 

Of a different complexion and temper is Mr. Nathaniel 
Gorham, with whom I have had several interviews ; he is 
moderate, reasonable, and conciliatory ; would that his views 
prevailed among his countrymen. He has just informed me 
that on the 4th proximo, agreeably to Charles J. Fox's ap- 
pointment, he was going to wait upon Lord Keppel ; if a 
member of the American Continental Congress can lower 
himself to use the derogatory term of waiting on the First 
Lord of the English Admiralty. 

Yours, in all affection, 

S. CURWEN. 

Nov. 5. Last night a very destructive fire consumed many 
houses, upwards of forty, between Aldersgate, Bartholomew 
Close, and Cloth Fair, supposed the most extensive in Lon- 
don for many years ; the fire yet unextinguished ; no account 
yet given of the damage, loss, etc. 

Nov. 24. At the American Commissioner's office, late 
Duke of Newcastle's house, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, for direc- 
tions respecting a Memorial. 

1 " Those who cross tlie seas, change their abode but not their minds." 



432 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Nov. 25. Attended among the rest of expectants to have 
a sight of the air-balloon discharged from the Artillery- 
ground, at one o'clock ; it rose moderately, and in a southerly 
direction ; was in sight ten or twelve minutes ; its appear- 
ance to my eye, after it diminished to four or five inches in 
diameter, was like three round balls in contact, in shape of a 
triangular body with obtuse angles. I should think the num- 
bers in Moorfields exceeded fourscore thousand. The sight 
was amusing ; perhaps posterity may improve on this newly 
investigated subject, and make what is now only a pleasing 
show, a commodious, perhaps pernicious, aerial conveyance. 

Nov. 28. Capt. Carpenter, of Salem, called; he is just 
from Lisbon. 

TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ. 

London, Nov. 28, 1783. 
Dear Sir : 

However unfavorable to my wishes the result of the Amer- 
ican Assemblies may be, I shall be gratified by receiving the 
earliest advices. Capt. Nathaniel West brings me a message 
from the principal merchants and citizens of Salem, propos- 
ing and encouraging my return ; which instance of modera- 
tion I view as an honor to the town and respectful to my- 
self, and I wish to return my thanks through you. It affords 
me pleasure, and I would cheerfully accept the offer ; but 
should the popular dislike rise against me, especially if co- 
operating with governmental resolves, to what a plight should 
I be reduced, being at present (but for how long is a painful 
uncertainty) on the British Government list for .£100 a year, 
(a competency for a single person exercising strict economy,) 
to surrender this precarious allowance without public assur- 
ances of personal security. 

It would be little short of madness, should the popular 
rage combine with the public decisions to prevent our future 
residence ; deprived of all assistance, and even the last refuge 
of the wretched, hope here, expelled there. Imagine to your- 
self the distress of an old man, without health, under such 
adverse circumstances, and you will advise me to wait with 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 433 

resignation till the several Assemblies shall have taken deci- 
sive measures on congressional recommendation, agreeably 
to the Provisional Treaty, if that body shall deem it prudent 
to conform to what their Commissioners have agreed to. 
But enough of this. One of your Massachusetts public 
Ministers, Mr. John Adams, is here in all the pride of Ameri- 
can independence ; by Mr. Gorham I am told he uttered to 
him the following speech, that, " together with the war he had 
buried all animosity against the absentees^ Though he is of 
a rigid temper and a thorough-paced Republican, candor 
obliges me to give him credit for the humanity of the senti- 
ment, being spoken in private, and to one of his own party, 
and probably without an intention to be published abroad. 
In a conversation with my informant, he further replied that 
he chose to consider himself as a plain American Republi- 
can ; his garb plain, without a sword, which is carrying his 
transatlantic ideas, 1 fear, a little too far. Should he have 
the curiosity, or his public character render it expedient, to 
attend at a royal levee, or at a drawing-room at St. James's 
on a Court day, I hope he will not deserve and meet with as 
mortifying a repulse as our late Chancellor, Lord Thurlow, 
at the Court of Versailles ; whose surly pertinacity in wear- 
ing a bob-wig occasioned his being refused admittance into 
the King's presence. However frivolous a part of dress 
soever a sword may appear to one of Mr. Adams's scholar- 
like turn, he is by this time, I fancy, too well acquainted with 
the etiquette of Courts to neglect so necessary an appendage, 
without M'^hich no one can find admittance out of the clerical 
line. 

I have nothing further to add but my ardent wishes for an 
increase of the health and happiness of yourself and family; 
for I am very truly, 

Your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Nov. 30. Attended worship at the Chapel in Margaret- 
street, Cavendish-Square, where Mr. Ford, from Liverpool, 
officiated, using the Liturgy appointed for the Dissenters on 

37 



434 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

the plan of preconceived forms in that place, — it being the 
first use of it in London. 

Dec. 2. Mr. Gorham passed three hours with me. 

Dec. 5. Evening at Covent Garden Theatre, to see old 
Macklin in the characters of Shylock in the " Merchant of 
"Venice," and in Sir Archy McSarcasm in " Marriage a la 
Mode," a farce of his own writing ; in both he excels, and 
although more than fourscore years of age manifests an exer- 
tion that would credit even youth. The house crowded ; the 
character of Portia, in the former, performed by a Miss Ros- 

coe, — her first appearance. 

Dec. 18. Yesterday Charles J. Fox's famous East India 
Bill was on a second reading thrown out of the House of 
Lords, by a majority of nineteen, the vote being seventy- 
eight in favor, and ninety-seven against it. The Prince of 
Wales in the minority, being his first vote as one of that 
House. 

Dec. 20. House of Commons in an uproar, occasioned by 
a supposed design to dissolve them and form a new arrange- 
ment of Administration ; the members of which, one of the 
papers has, as usual in extraordinary cases, presented the 
public with. 

Dec. 28. Attended public worship at Essex House Chapel. 
Mr. Lindsay preached from — " For we know that if the 
earthly house of this our tabernacle were dissolved, we have 
a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in 
the heavens ; for in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be 
clothed upon with our house which is in heaven. If so be 
that being clothed, we shall not be found naked." A text 
and discourse not unsuited to my particular situation, this 
day completing my sixty-eighth year, and in a disconsolate 
condition, laboring under bodily infirmities, dreadful uncer- 
tainties respecting my temporal supplies, and but too con- 
scious of many more imperfections and follies, moral and 
natural ; however doubtful what may be the consequence of 
a separation of soul and body, I most ardently long for a 
deliverance from personal evils, and a retreat to that state of 
quietude where the weary are at rest. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 435 

Dec. 31. Visited Mr. De Berdt by invitation ; from thence 
to Capt. Hay's, and engaged to dine there next Friday. 

This concludes a most un pleasing, unprofitable year, mean- 
ing in such a sense as dignifies the rational nature of mortal 
men. May the following year be productive of better moral 
effects than the last. 



436 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

A. D. 1784. Pitt's East India Bill lost. Tlie Author receives Letters 
from Salem encouraging; his Return. Riots in London between followers 
of Pitt and Fox. Dr. Watson, Bishop of Llandaff. Letters from 
William Pynchon. Funeral of Sheriff Turner. Letter from Judge 
Sewall. The Author's Petition for leave to return to America, and to 
appoint an Agent to receive his Pension. Visit to the Treasurer. Prep- 
arations for leaving England. Embarks in Shi[) Union. Fellow-Pas- 
sengers. Lands at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Excursion on the Island. Ar- 
rival at Boston. Captain Coombs. The Author's Classmates. Letter 
from Noah Clap. 

London, Jan. 17, 1784. At New England Coffee-House, 
recognized by Col. Tonge, whom at first sight I knew not, 
till he made himself known. 

Jan. 24. Last night Mr. Pitt's East India Bill lost by a 
majority of eight ; probably a dissolution of Parliament will 
follow. A wretched plight is this distracted nation in, from 
an obstinate, despotically inclined King, and a set of profli- 
gate, unprincipled men of influence and politicians. I fear 
there is not sense enough left of the importance of public 
interest and liberty among the people, to oppose the perni- 
cious designs and measures of Court and Parliament, and 
that the people, from whose efforts alone good may be ex- 
pected, however unaided by nobles or gentry, will soon, 
oppressed and overloaded by taxes, submit to any measures 
their haughty imperious masters shall impose. Thus the 
Government, once the boast of Great Britain and the envy 
of the world, will soon find itself on a level with the most 
contemptible of those nations on whom it justly looked with 
pity, and imprudently with contempt. I think its ruin near 
enough for my old age to have the cruel mortification of 
seeing, brought about by the most impolitic and foolish of 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 437 

all attempts, the late American war ; and in the short space 
of nine years fallen, when at the highest pinnacle of power, 
glory, and wealth it had ever attained, to its present state of 
despair. 

Feb. 2. Disturbed by disagreeable dreams from whatever 
cause, which, however, I pretend not satisfactorily to account 
for to myself; I find my imagination much more busily em- 
ployed now than in my youth. 

Feb. 3. Joseph Hooper called on me to accompany him 
to the American Commissioner's office in Lincoln's-Inn 
Fields, which I did, and gave a relation on oath, which 
proved my unacquaintedness with his affairs of no advantage 
to his cause. Afterwards at New England CofFee-House 
reading the papers, filled with melancholy accounts of the 
party squabbles in the House of Commons between Foxites 
and Pittites, the former of whom have got a majority to ad- 
dress the King to turn out the latter and his associates, which 
has produced such a chagrin in the King's mind, it is said, 
as has determined him to retire to Hanover, and leave this 
distracted country under the government of guardians of the 
realm, of which his son, the Prince of Wales, will be first in 
the commission. 

Feb. 9. The extreme severity of the weather seems to ill- 
influence the tempers of the State managers, whose pertina- 
cious obstinacy forebodes, by their struggles in the House of 
Commons, and their opposition in the House of Lords, to 
bring on a State convulsion. Should healing measures not 
soon be adopted, and the Meeting Bill run out, the army will 
of course be left without restraint, and the dogs of war be let 
loose ; the consequence all have reason to dread, none fully 
foresee it. 

Feb. 13. The two political game-cocks, Pitt and Fox, are 
at length to compromise, and the public business, for a while 
at least, be suffered to go on, which, during the contests be- 
tween the House of Commons on the one side, and the King 
supported by the House of Lords on the other, has stag- 
nated, to the great reproach of the contenders, and injury of 
the public interest, which, however, in this period of venality 

37* 



438 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

and selfishness, seems to be a consideration of the smallest 
importance, if any at all. 

Feb. 17. Received several letters from Salem, encouraging 
me to hope I may be permitted to return to my native country. 

FROM WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ. 

Salem, Jan. 2, 1784. 
Dear Sir : 

I have made inquiry amongst your friends, and all agree 
that although there seems to be no prospect of a repeal of 
the laws against Absentees, yet the inhabitants of this town, 
the committees, and all orders, seem very desirous of your 
returning in the spring. As Mr. Cabot, by whom I shall 
send this, is urgent for it, and can inform you of the present 
temper and disposition of the people towards you, it will be 
needless for me to give you particulars. Assurances from 
hence as to security, etc., while the laws remain unrepealed, 
we cannot give you, other than private opinion only. Mr. 
Cabot will acquaint you, and. by what Mr. Vans says, you 
will have it in letters from several, that there is little or no 
danger of any prosecutions on the laws but from the respec- 
tive towns, committees, etc., where the Absentee belonged ; 
and all seem to agree there can be, from present appearances, 
no danger from any of this town, Mr. Cabot will acquaint 
you as to the successes of all who have returned hither, and 
as to such as have returned to other States. At Providence, 
and in some parts of Connecticut, those who returned have 
been more cordially received and treated, and we hope a like 
temper will take place in Massachusetts in the spring and 
summer. Alcock evadt et abdicavit with bag and baggage, 
and Whitaker seems to be hastening after him. These two 
politicians seem to have been the authors and promoters of 
more mischief than it is possible that any two who are left 
behind them either should or would effect, or even attempt. 
They resembled Swift's committee of ways and means for 
continuing the war and promoting malevolence and conten- 
tion as long as possible ; but at length they became con- 
temned and deserted by all, and I cannot recollect any better 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 439 

proof or assurance you can have than the fate of these two 
persons as to the temper of the people of this town, and as 
to their disposition for peace and benevolence. However, 
you will doubtless attend to what you see in the public 
prints, as the Resolves of Assemblies in this and the other 
States, and judge for yourself. Mr. Dana has returned from 
Russia, and if you return here, during his continuance 
among us, it may prove a fortunate circumstance to you, as 
I have heard him repeatedly say much in favor of your at- 
tachments, connections, etc. 

I remain, dear sir, most respectfully, your friend, 

William Pynchon. 

Feb. 28. Mr. Pitt by invitation in the city, at Grocer's 
Hall, Cheapside ; great throngs attended ; he was drawn in 
his carriage by men. Returning late in the night, he was as- - 
saulted, and his and other carriages broken to pieces by men 
armed with bludgeons; supposed, not without reason, by 
Fox's party, and his party's encouragement, — a peevish, ill- 
judged resentment. 

March 7. Met Mr. William Walter, late from Nova Sco- 
tia, who at first sight recollected me and spoke ; my eye and 
memory weakened by age, and his features somewhat hard- 
ened, I could not suddenly recognize him. 

March 16. Met my friend and countryman, Mr. Isaac 
Smith, on the eve of his departure for Boston ; took him 
home to tea, but could not persuade him to pass the evening, 
being before engaged with the " Dr. Franklin Club,''' at Lon- 
don Tavern. 

March 20. Mr. Pitt, the great popular Minister, because 
Charles J. Fox's antagonist, who is become the man of the 
people, (as Fox and his supporters arrogantly assumed to be, 
now the popular oclium, on account of his East India Bill,) 
dined this day at the London Tavern, being the third public 
dinner of late in the city ; and who in his turn will probably, 
before the expiration of many months, be as much con- 
demned and hissed as he is now caressed and applauded, — 
the popular breath rarely if ever long keeps one direction. 



440 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

March 26. Proclamation issued for dissolving Parliament, 
this being the third session, the House of Commons proving 
refractory and unyielding to the King's measures and ser- 
vants, young Pitt, Thurlow, Gower, etc. The great seal was 
stolen last night from Lord Thurlow's, Great Ormond-street, 
with two swords and thirty guineas. 

April 3. Accompanied my friend, Mr. Isaac Smith, and 
his brother in a post-chaise to Gravesend, the former being 
bound to Boston in the ship United States. Lodged at the 
Falcon Inn. 

April 4. Took a long stroll to Milton Abbey ; saw the 
small remains of its ruins. 

April 6. The poll finished at Guildhall ; the four former 
city members rechosen. A Mr. Cooper, owner of a wine 
vault, stated at my lodgings that contested elections gener- 
ally consumed six thousand hogsheads of port wine extra, 
and that twenty-four thousand was the average yearly con- 
sumption of Great Britain and Ireland. 

April 8. Mr. Alleyn, at Treasury, stated that no payment 
would be made these two months at soonest, for the public 
embarrassments will greatly delay our quarterly payments. 

April 10. Drank tea at Mr. De Berdt's, where met Gen- 
eral Reed, late from Philadelphia. 

April 14. Visited Col. Willard at No. 81 Charlotte-street, 
Portland-Place, to inquire about Government's offer to convey 
Refugees inclined to reside in Nova Scotia, with allowance 
to be continued as if in England. 

April 30. Walked to Li me house Church ; returned by 
Stepney churchyard, and saw therein a tomb inclosed within 
iron rails, in form of a coffin, said to contain the remains of 
a wife buried above ground in compliance with the will of a 
testator, who gave the husband an estate on that condition : 
he is depicted on a glass window fronting the burial-ground 
as looking out at her tomb. Afterwards, at New England 
CofFee-House, met Mr. Cox, who asked me to tea with young 
Smith ; which I accepted, meeting there his father-in-law 
and Mr. Jackson of Newburyport. 

ilia// 2. Attended service at Limehouse Church ; Dr. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 441 

Watson, Bishop of LlandafF, preached a most excellent 
charity sermon to a crowded assembly. Bidding prayer was 
long, catholic, and charmingly delivered ; concluding sen- 
tence was, "iVbty to the King- eternal,^^ etc., instead of the 
usual one, ^'Noiv to God the Father, God the Son,''^ etc. His 
enunciation is loud, sonorous and manly, his person robust 
and tall. 

Mai/ 3. Attended the scrutiny in Aldermen's room, Guild- 
hall, between Sawbridge and Atkinson, a case decided in 
favor of an Act of Parliament against city right of alder- 
men's consent to the removal of a livery man from one com- 
pany to another, without which it was asserted he was dis- 
qualified to vote for a member of Parliament, although of 
the livery and free. 

Ma// 4. Mr. Danforth met me, and together we visited 
Mrs. Hay and staid till eight o'clock. 

FROM WILLIAM PYXCHON, ESQ. 

Salem, March 2, 1 784. 
Dear Sir : 

As Messrs. Sparhawk, Bartlett, and others are going in the 
Pilgrim, it will be needless to attempt giving you a particular 
account of occurrences here. You will doubtless hear from 
them of the alteration in the temper of the people towards 
Absentees, particularly of our town. Alcock's going off, (or 
absconding,) with Dr. Whitaker's sinking in the esteem of 
the people, even at the fish-market and brandy-shops, has 
produced a good effect ; many show their disapprobation, 
and some their utter detestation, of certain intolerant dispo- 
sitions and persecuting measures. 

I said nothing about our Social Library, because of the 
present state of our finances and the want of regular meet- 
ings of the society. Mr. E. Hasket Derby has lately imported 
a considerable library of modern books, which proved to be 
very dear, as many think, and might have been purchased 
much cheaper by you ; therefore the proprietors wish to avail 
themselves of your advice and assistance, whether you shall 
continue in England or return hither. I find Mr. D. Oliver, 



442 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

third son of your good friend Andrew Oliver, Esq., goes 
also in the Pilgrim. All who can cross the Atlantic seem 
determined to go and procure their goods from England ; 
not one discovers a disposition to receive them from France, 
notwithstanding their generosity towards us. Going to Eng- 
land is now as formerly called going- home. 

Many of our politicians seem desirous of seeing an Eng- 
lish Ambassador in America to balance the increasing inter- 
est and influence of France, whose intrigues perplex and 
alarm us. You doubtless have heard of Mr. Dana's return 
from the Court of Russia without concluding a commercial 
treaty there : he is now chosen a Member of Congress, and is 
is soon to set out, warmly engaged in opposition to French 
politics. 

I have advised Mr. Oliver to seek you out and inform you 
about us all, who wish and expect your return in the sum- 
mer; as he is young, and a stranger, I doubt not you will 
notice him and render him all the kind offices which you 
may observe him to need. I have desired Mr. Bartlett to ad- 
vise with you as to some of the latest and best plays, farces, 
etc., which we wish much to see. 

March 4. The Pi/girm not sailing this morning, I find 
time to recollect an omission I made last night. Some 
Americans have lately returned vid Philadelphia to Boston, 
among them William McNeal, who went off with the troops 
from thence, and E. Williams, who was an officer in the 
British service at New York, and now receives half-pay. 
McNeal, by means of the Committee of Safety, was taken 
up and used roughly on account of his conduct, as it is said, 
during the blockade at Boston ; but Williams met with no 
insult or obstruction there or at Salem, but is gone into the 
country to settle his affairs and then return to Nova Scotia. 
It is true he did not choose needlessly to go to the parade, or 
insurance offices, etc., but went about Salem visiting his 
particular friends, and met with no indecency in the streets 
or elsewhere. Many have urged me heretofore to write, that 
you might return and reside here without the least danger or 
insult ; but while such as Alcock and Whitaker had the lead, 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 443 

I could not think nor say so. Now I may safely tell you 
what I have heard heretofore in the market-place, from some 
that are most desirous now for your return : — " Oh, let them 
return, by all means ; but they must remember that they are 
to down on their knees to the General Court in the first place, 
to the committee in the next, and to their townsmen too, and 
ask pardon, and then we may even let them stay among us, 
provided they behave as they ought ; even your Col. Browne 
himself must submit to this." 

Your own and your friends' feelings require no observation 
on such insolence. This cannot now tend in the least to dis- 
courage your return ; lest it should heretofore, 1 thought best 
not to mention it. Farewell. 

Yours truly, 

William Pynchon. 

TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM. 

London, May 9, 1784. 
My Dear Sir : 

Your favor of the 2d and 4th March was delivered into my 
hands by Mr. Bartlett, the sight of whom was as unexpected 
as agreeable. He acquaints me with an event foretold to 
the late Mr. Barnard and myself at Hartford, some thirteen 
years ago, by a clergyman of that town, concerning the mis- 
chievous incendiary (Dr. Whitaker) lately dismissed from the 
remnant of God's heritage over which he had for too long a 
time lorded, viz. : that this proud, restless, turbulent spirit 
would not suffer him to continue long without attempting to 
disturb the peace of all within reach of his pernicious influ- 
ence, and must force the neighborhood sooner or later to 
banish him. I confess, though at this great distance of time 
and place, I cannot resist the most pleasurable sensations on 
hearing this event. Whatever is the cause of an alteration 
in the people's notions, the effects probably will prove ad- 
vantageous to their characters and interest. 

My design being to continue in England till autumn, if the 
proprietors of the Social Library shall think me likely to 
serve their interest in the purchase of books, no exertion shall 



444 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

be wanting in my power to do them justice. There is one 
circumstance relating to books with which you may be un- 
acquainted : the first edition of a book of character and quick 
sale bears a high price till the run has abated ; besides, the 
modish outside dress, emblematic of the taste of the age, en- 
hances the price not a little. Second-hand books, and those 
out of the tonish line, may generally be bought reasonably; 
books of amusement and the beauties of modern writers are 
in common estimation, and sell dear. 

Respecting Mr. Basket Derby's library, if it was sent 
through a merchant, probably an addition was put to the 
bookseller's price of at least 25 per cent, not an uncommon 
practice here. 

Your mention of young Mr. Daniel Oliver is sufficient to 
recommend him to my respect and notice, if he shall see fit 
to desire it ; without which it is not likely I may see him, 
being rarely in the way of Americans, having forsaken the 
New England Coffee- House, grown old, the transatlantics 
young and unknown to me, and their manners and language 
unpleasing. 

The easy credit obtained here is astonishing, and char- 
acterizes truly this nation, who are credulous, generous, 
unsuspecting, and wealthy beyond belief; if great mutual 
complaints and sufferings do not follow the immense indis- 
criminate exports to America, I shall be much out of my 
reckoning. 

It will not be surprising to me if French politics will be as 
much execrated among you as they were admired and pi'ais- 
ed during the v/ar ; it is morally impossible, that, despotic as 
the Court of Versailles is, she can relish the Republican prin- 
ciples and maxims of the United States longer than she can 
make them subservient to her own ambitious purposes. All 
the world knows the ruin of Great Britain was the only ob- 
ject of her assisting America to throw off her dependence, 
and the folly of her statesmen has aided the views of that 
intriguing power. Never had this country a fairer opportu- 
nity of disappointing the pernicious views of her rival neigh- 
bors than the present, were there a public spirit in this in- 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 445 

fatuated nation ; but, alas ! a regard to the public welfare is 
no more to be found among its rulers. However indignantly 
I behold the conduct of her neighbors, I confess France 
should be considered only as a rival power, striving to give 
the law to a State that has for more than a century made it 
a professed principle to thwart all her political views. I hope 
your people will have more wisdom than to permit an aris- 
tocratic spirit to take place among you ; for of all civil op- 
pressions that is most intolerable. 

I sincerely thank you for all your favors, particularly the 
last ; the contents of your letters might have been published 
at the market-cross without injury to your character in the 
height of the war, unless with such persons as Alcock and 
Whitaker, whose mad party zeal construed into guilt every 
innocent word and act of those they were disposed to slander 
and vilify. I am, with great truth. 

Your faithful and grateful friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

May 9. After service, proceeded to Mr. Danforth's lodg- 
ings to take him by agreement to Kensington Gardens, where 
after a few turns adjourned to "Adam and Eve" ordinary. 
Mr. Samuel Porter and young Farnham afterwards joined us 
in the gardens, which we found excessively crowded ; among 
others the Duke of Chartres, brother of the French King, and 
two other French noblemen. 

May 11. Saw John Sparhawk, from (near) Portsmouth, for 
the first time. 

May 13. Saw Captain Ingersoll from Salem. 

May 15. With Mr. Bartlett purchased plays for Mr. Pyn- 
chon, and law-books for Mr. Ward. Mr. Bartlett presented 
me with a medal struck in Philadelphia : in a round compart- 
ment stands, " U. S 5 1783 ; " round, " Libertas 

et Justitia ; " on the other side, in the centre, an eye sur- 
rounded by a glory ; the whole encompassed by thirteen stars, 
— with the legend, ^'■Nova Constellatio." 

May 17. To Covent Garden ; abode an hour amidst very 
numerous throngs, this being the last day of polling, and Fox 

38 



446 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

to be chaired ; it is feared great riots and destruction will be 
the consequence. The foot-guards and a squadron of horse 
are ordered to hold themselves in readiness, and approach 
within a callable distance. In the afternoon went to Covent 
Garden, now emptied ; the company gone to attend Mr. 
Fox's procession, — the hustings removed, and all the stands 
taken down. Proceeded thence to Charing Cross, which, to 
my surprise, I found crowded; the procession then just be- 
ginning to march by from Westminster Hall, in the follow- 
ing order : — The officers of each parish distinct, with their 
peculiar standards, attending two and two, with wands in 
their hands ; bands of music ; next gentlemen on horseback ; 
then others on foot ; in the rear was Mr. Byng, whose ap- 
pearance was announced by ^^Byng- and Fox forever I " Then 
followed a few horsemen ; then Mr. Fox, mounted on a lofty 
chair, on and around interwoven with a laurel bower almost 
encompassing him ; soon after appeared a lofty white silk 
banner, with this inscription, — " Sacred to female patriotism ; " 
and was immediately followed by the Duchesses of Portland 
and Devonshire in their coaches, around which were laurel 
festoons, each drawn by six horses ; the whole concluded 
with about thirty private carriages. An innumerable crowd 
attended, and with vociferous acclamations, but no riot nor 
mobbing ; Government having wisely provided the horse and 
foot-guards, which probably discouraged the ill-disposed. 

May 20. Parson Walter and Mr. Danforth visited me and 
took tea. 

May 21. Visited by Captain IngersoU, from Salem, from 
whom I have heard more particulars relative to the present 
state of the town and its inhabitants than for several years. 

TO WILLIAM VANS, ESQ., SALEM. 

London, May 21, 1784. 
Dear Sir : 

Your favor of 2d January, was, I acknowledge, unexpected, 
but did not surprise me, though at this late day. The differ- 
ence of your sentiments from mine and those of my mistaken 
friends^ needed not to have caused the destruction of your 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 447 

former letter ; for how wide soever our political notions have 
been, or perhaps now are, that letter, I dare say, conceived 
in purity of intention, and brought forth in decency of ex- 
presvsion, could not have failed to prove informative and 
amusing ; and on that score a welcome present. Besides, I 
sit in judgment on no man ; wishing for candor towards 
myself, I think it my duty to practise it in my turn to all ; 
referring it to God alone to approve or condemn, who alone 
has the right ; and to knaves and fools who have none, to 
usurp that right. 

The doubts that have hitherto discouraged my attempting 
to trust the faithless waves again, are derived from more than 
one source. However wanting in respect the appellation, I 
had rather be accounted a timid friend, a light you say I am 
viewed in, than an enemy ; a reproach I am not conscious to 
have deserved. 

Your report of the returned penitents to their former habi- 
tations, strengthens my belief of lenity towards myself, should 
I ever be in a condition to stand in need of such lenity. How- 
ever, if I rightly understand the meaning of your caution to 
address to the care of a friend, you yourself, sanguine and 
positive as you are of the safety of my person and property, 
think it a proper precaution to slip behind the curtain for a 
while after entering on the Territories of the United States ; 
a part, Mr. Vans, I shall on no account stoop to act, dissim- 
ulation being no part of my character, and I am too late in 
life to assume new habits. 

I am well pleased to hear of the singular moderation of 
the town of Salem ; if other towns have been violent in words 
only, as your letter intimates, their character is greatly injured 
and the public abused. 

Having answered your letter, I now take leave, after sub- 
scribing myself, with due regards. 

Your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

Tune 8. William Browne, lately arrived from Gibraltar, 
where he served as an officer during the siege, son of Colonel 



448 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Browne, now Governor of Bermudas, called on me after an 
interval of six years ; he appears intelligent, and his manners 
much refined. 

June 11. To my townsman, S. Porter's lodgings, Kensing- 
ton, through the gardens. There seems no inclination in him 
or any Refugees to return back ; fed, I presume, with delu- 
sive hopes of a compensation, or rather deluding themselves 
with ungrounded expectations founded only in their vain 
wishes and desires of Court compassion, which may be justly 
added to Lord Rochester's list of ideal nothings. 

June 19. At one o'clock the funeral procession of Sir 
Barnard Turner, Sheriff, passed through Bishopgate-street 
amidst great crowds, though much lessened by the delay 
which the populace mistook for its being laid aside ; the body 
had been arrested after it was put into the hearse, in the 
street, for a considerable debt, which was afterwards compro- 
mised, on whose or what account is variously stated. The 
hearse was preceded by two lines of the Artillery Associa- 
tion, headed by an officer and five privates abreast, their fire- 
locks reversed, marching in slow pace, muffled drums beating, 
trumpets sounding, and other instruments playing the 104th 
psalm tune ; the hearse was adorned with large flowing 
plumes of ostrich-feathers, just before which was led the 
horse of the deceased, dressed in black ; on the saddle were 
laid the hat, sword, and boots crossed. A small detachment 
of the artillery company followed the carriage of the de- 
ceased and those of his brother sheriffs ; after which the 
whole closed by fourteen carriages, each drawn by two pair 
of horses ; the whole was to proceed nine miles, to Totten- 
ham ; solemn and pompous in the extreme. 

June 22. At New England Coffee-House read Mr. Pitt's 
speech and motion to stop the smuggling of tea, by a repeal 
of the heavy duty on that article, and substituting a lighter 
one ; and to prevent any injury to the revenue, by laying an 
additional house and window tax, whereby the poor and mid- 
dling classes will be eased ; and the burden, as it ought, will 
lay on the wealthy. Polling in the Borough for the elec- 
tion of a member in the room of the late Sir Barnard 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 449 

Turner ; candidates, Sir Richard Hotham, and Mr. Paul 
Mesurier. 

FROM HON. JONATHAN SEWALL. 

Bristol, June 28, 1784. 
Deau Sir : 

Accept my thanks for your kind communication of your 
intentions to revisit America, and for your obliging offer of 
accepting any services I may wish to trouble you with. I 
am clear in my judgment that you are perfectly right in your 
present determination ; you have taken no active part, — 
your family has remained unmolested, and Mr. F. Cabot 
assures me that, whenever you choose to return, you will be 
received with the warmest cordiality by all your old friends, 
and will receive no insult from any ; in short, that you may 
go as safely as he can. This was his closing expression. 
You have not told me when you intend to embark ; if you 
think proper to give me seasonable notice of the time, per- 
haps I may trouble you with the care of one or two letters, 
provided yoa dare be the bearer of them from an alien — 
traitor by law, vide Act of 1779. If you have any qualms, 
as I don't know but you may, upon good grounds, give me 
but a hint of your fears or wishes, and I shall conform to 
either, as my letters will be of no importance to myself or 
my correspondents, — no treason, no politics, I assure you. If 
you go, as I with twenty-eight others still remain exiles, it is 
not probable we shall ever see each other again in this world. 
God only knows what kind of one the next will be, whether 
more or less dirty ; be it what it may, if we meet I shall 
most joyfully take you by the hand. Indeed I don't abso- 
lutely despair of seeing you again in this strange world, for 
upon my soul, though I was born and bred yet I am a 
stranger in it ; but my design is to go out to N. Scotia this 
autumn or early in the spring ; there, if you wish, you may 
see me, but while the unjust, illiberal, lying Act of 1779 re- 
mains unrepealed, never will I set foot on the Territories of 
the Thirteen United Independent States. I feel no resent- 
ment against them. I wish them more happiness in their 

38 * 



450 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

unnatural independence than my judgment allows me to 
hope for them ; but I have been mistaken throughout the 
whole voyage ; yet, however I may have been out in my 
former opinions, I wish my judgment may still be erroneous, 
— I wish, most sincerely, my native country may meet all 
the happiness she has sought, per fas et nef as. She thinks 
she has obtained it : I wish she may not be mistaken ; but I 
have my doubts. 

Mrs. Sewall accepts with thanks your compliments, and 
returns them most cordially ; my sister, whom you kindly 
remember, died, poor girl, on the 17th of May last, after a 
paralytic stroke about three months before. I think I may 
say, she has gone with as few faults on her head as any of 
us can expect to go with. I miss her greatly, — but why 
should we complain ? 

I am your humble servant and sincere friend, 

JoNA. Sewall. 



TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL, BRISTOL. 

London, /wne 29, 1784. 
Dear Sir : 

On some accounts I shall return to America with reluc- 
tance, having many doubts on my mind of meeting such a 
reception as will encourage my continued abode in that land 
of purity, sanctity and liberty. I feel too independent a spirit 
within to apprehend or regard any danger from Republican 
licentiousness, which ever has been my contempt and ab- 
horrence. 

The following inter nos. The success of my application 
to the Commissioners, now sitting in the Treasury, I am as 
yet ignorant of; my memorial or petition was this day de- 
livered in, and is to be considered to-morrow. Whatever 
shall be the event I shall endeavor to support the same spirit, 
though a success equal to my supposed just expectations 
would serve as pillars or buttresses in an old tottering edifice, 
to add strength and support thereto. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 451 

Please make my compliments to your family, and to Mr. 
Samuel Sewall, if in your neighborhood. 

Dear sir, your affectionate friend, etc., 

S. CURWEN. 

June 29. After composing the following petition, I pro- 
ceeded with it to the Treasury, — dubious of its fate or 
fortune : — 

" To the Commissioners appointed by act of Parliament to 
consider the sufferings and service of the American Loyalists : 

" The petition of Samuel Curwen humbly showeth : That 
your petitioner was forced to abandon his home and dwelling 
by the repeated menaces of the people within a few days 
after the unhappy rencounter at Lexington, who reproached 
all persons with the invidious appellation of Tories, as they 
chose to call such as did not openly accuse the King's troops 
as aggressors, were for supporting law and order, and for 
forbearing future violences ; among which number your pe- 
titioner was one. Taking refuge aboard a vessel bound to 
Philadelphia, he arrived there, hoping to find an asylum from 
outrage and indignity ; but in this he was mistaken, for 
though that city had during all former wars shown a mani- 
fest dislike to military levies and arrangements, and when in 
the late dispute, a singular moderation ; at this period the 
political frenzy had risen to an equal height as in New Eng- 
land, and your petitioner was soon informed that that city 
could prove no refuge to him, even by those friends under 
whose protection he sought for safety ; the only condition of 
his continuing there was a public renunciation of his prin- 
ciples, acknowledging his errors, and promising future obe- 
dience to the new assumed powers. Loth to be held up to 
the public in so disgraceful and mortifying a view, and to 
confess a falsehood, he took the only alternative in his power. 
All communication with the northward by sea being forbid- 
den by the city Committee of Safety and Inspection, lest Gen- 
eral Gage's troops at Boston should be supplied with flour, 
etc., and by land no letters could be sent but under the in- 
spection of the State inquisitors, — the regular post-office es- 



/ 



452 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

tablished by act of Parliament being shut up, and travelling 
by land dangerous to any but those called Sons of Liberty, — 
he therefore took shipping again, and after a series of dan- 
gers in a very tedious passage, arrived in London, where and 
in the country he has resided to the present time, subsisting 
whilst his own stock lasted on that, and since on the public 
bounty. Having received some overtures since the peace took 
place from some of his townsmen of Salem, which, together 
with the sad derangement of his affairs there, makes him wish 
to revisit his native country of New England, but the advices 
from his friends rendering it still doubtful whether he can 
with safety and comfort pass the remainder of his days 
there, — being near the verge of threescore years and ten, — 
he proposes therefore to reti*eat to Nova Scotia, or one of the 
royal Colonies, in case he cannot obtain a resettlement on 
the forementioned conditions, and therefore humbly requests 
liberty to appoint an agent here to receive the usual allow- 
ance hitherto indulged him, and for so long a time as may be 
judged proper to continue it. 

"And your petitioner, as in duty bound, etc., 

" Samuel Curwen." 

July 2. Went to Treasury ; returned re infecta, not a little 
deranged but not much disappointed ; my expectations from 
Court not being high, I can suffer but rarely any inconveni- 
ence, taking care not to put myself in the way of frequent 
mortification. The present application is of a kind I should 
have thought not liable to a repulse, many such favors hav- 
ing been already granted, if the request deserves not rather 
the appellation of a just demand. 

Julp 5. Went to the Treasury, and there received the 
agreeable information that the Commissioners had granted 
my petition to appoint an agent to receive my quarterly al- 
lowance after my departure from England, on making satis- 
factory proof of my being alive at the successive periods of 
payment. From this I date an end to my doubts respecting 
my embarkation ; its issue time must reveal. 

July 7. Made an early visit to Mr. Gorham, to talk on the 
subject of our passage with Capt. Ingersoll. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 453 

July 8. On 'Change met Capt. Folger and John Spar- 
hawk, both of whom I wish to embark with Mr. Gorham and 
myself with Capt. Ingersoll. Mr. Jonathan Jackson called 
on me for a letter of introduction to Mr. George Russell, of 
Birmingham, which I cheerfully gave, acquainting Mr. Rus- 
sell that he possessed an unblemished reputation and exten- 
sive property, in case he may form any commercial arrange- 
ment there. 

TO REV. JOSEPH BEETLAND, EXETER. 

London, July 9, 1784. 
Dear Sir : 

I could not, with my strong sense of obligation to Mr. 
Bretland for the many instances of respectful attention re- 
ceived from him during my residence in the West, leave 
England without acknowledging them. My departure from 
London will be within a fortnight ; a voyage at this late 
hour of my life is an undertaking, even were the prospects 
bright, I would gladly dispense with, but duty and interest 
call too loudly to be resisted. I presume your acquaintance 
on the western continent lies in a very narrow compass ; 
however, if it shall be in my power to serve or amuse you in 
respect to the concerns in that distant quarter, I shall feel 
myself obliged by gratifying your wish. 

I know not in what employment I am to pass the small 
remnant of my days, should Providence permit my safe return 
home ; but I shall not think part of it ill-bestowed in direct- 
ing and assisting the studies and pursuits of my niece's 
children, who are just of an age to receive useful ideas : 
with regard to the English, Latin, and Greek tongues, I shall 
esteem it a peculiar favor if you will be pleased to forward 
me a list of books and the order in w^hich they should be 
used. Very truly your friend. 

S. CURWEN. 

July 10. To the Treasury ; found the American door be- 
sieged by a score of mendicants like myself, waiting their 
turns, — though I thought my early attendance would have 



454 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

entitled me to No. 1, I was glad to stand No. 21 ; so great 
Was the crowd that I was more than once about to depart 
and leave them. 

July 11. With Capt. Coombs took an airing to the Tower, 
having encompassed it on the ramparts, and taken a view 
of the American thirteen stripes flying on eight vessels lying 
in one tier ; the first view I ever distinctly had of their inde- 
pendent naval glory. Arranged about going with Capt. 
Ingersoll. 

July 16. Gave a power of attorney to George Bainbridge, 
of Bread-street, to receive my pension quarterly. 

July 18. Mr. Cassini, the French mathematician, having 
presented through his Ambassador in London a memorial, 
praying that some person would undertake to carry triangles 
from Greenwich to Dover to meet the French at Calais, in 
order to determine the exact distance between the observa- 
tories of Paris and Greenwich, his Majesty, who is ever 
ready to patronize useful schemes, immediately granted one 
thousand pounds for the carrying it on, and General Roy 
was, by his own consent, fixed upon for the undertaking. 

TO KEV. JOSEPH BRETLAND, EXETER, DEVON. 

London, July 19, 1784. 
Dear Sir : 

Your obliging favor of the 17th is just received. For a 
long time I was flattered with the expectation that my phil- 
osophical acquaintance would comply with his promise to 
answer your favor, till I had in truth forgotten I had not 
written you, and my delay arose from his, which at last 
ended in a refusal. He seems to value himself on a freedom 
from the shackles of fear, and thinks that an advantage which 
no believer in the existence of a Deity can boast of, and to 
that principle refers all those labored treatises to prove one ; 
and though fully convinced of the truth of his system, is 
satisfied a universal belief of them in the present state of 
things would not be productive of beneficial effects in society, 
which to me is instead of a thousand arguments to manifest 
their falsity. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 455 

I would with unfeigned pleasure travel further than the 
distance between us to meet my worthy friend, but unless 
the weather prevent, or some unforeseen accident intervene, 
to which human affairs are liable, I shall take shipping within 
four days. It repents me much that I had not availed my- 
self of leisure to have visited you ; but past neglects may be, 
like this, lamented, not repaired. 

Your kind information in respect to method of teaching, I 
thank you for ; your friendly caution I take in good part, 
and shall not fail to attend to it ; and your request, you may 
depend on my compliance with. 

Be pleased to make my respectful compliments to all 
friends. I remain, with real regard. 

Yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

July 20, Went to Mr. Copley's, George-street, Hanover- 
Square, to take my leave of him, and pay my last compli- 
ments to his father-in-law, Mr. R. Clarke, and the family. 
Mr. Copley absent at Tunbridge. 

July 22. Accompanied by Mr. Nathaniel Gorham, break- 
fasted on board ship Union, Capt. Jonathan Ingersoll, wherein 
I have engaged my passage to Boston ; met Benjamin Pick- 
man the elder and younger. Dined at Mr. De Berdt's, in 
company with General Joseph Reed, of Philadelphia, and 
Mr. Gorham ; also drank tea and passed the evening there. 

July 25, Sunday. Attended worship at Mr. Lindsay's 
Chapel, Essex-street, Strand ; took my final leave of Mr. 
Lindsay and Dr. Disney at the chapel door. 

July 28. Took leave at lodgings 107 Bishopgate-street 
within, and porceeded to the ship Union, lying at Irongate, 
where I propose to abide till my arrival at Gravesend. Paid 
twenty guineas in part for my passage-money. From hence- 
forth I bid an everlasting farewell to London. At ten o'clock 
the Tower guns, to the number of eighty, were discharged ; 
this being the day appointed by Royal Proclamation to be 
observed as a thanksgiving for the general peace. Despatched 
a boat to bring Capt. Coombs from his brig Minerva ; Capt. 
Patterson and Cleves also drank tea with us. 



456 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

Aug". 1. Proceeded down the river with a fair wind. 

Aug. 2. Anchored off Deal. 

Aug. 3. Capt. Ingersoll with two passengers arrived on 
board ; immediately after the ship broke ground, and in an 
hour entered the Channel; and now hey for the ocean. 

Aug. 4. This morning all our passengers breakfasted to- 
gether for the first time ; their names, Nathaniel Gorham, 
William Smith, Lewis and Francis Deblois, of Boston, a 
Mr. Isle, and myself. 

Aug. 6. Stood in for St. Helen's Road ; thence proceeded 
to Cowes harbor, Isle of Wight, where we anchored ; went 
ashore, took tea and supped at the Vine Inn. 

Aug. 7. With four fellow-passengers took coach for New- 
port, the only borough town on the island, consisting of four 
hundred houses ; it lies at the head of water beyond Cowes 
five miles ; remarkable for no manufactures or productions, 
natural or artificial : thence trudged it on foot to Carisbrook 
Castle, on an eminence a mile or more distant, now in ruins, 
and inhabited by a family named Poney, consisting of two 
or three maidens and their servants. The church is a living 
of X120 per annum. After dinner we aU set off for our 
ship. 

Aug. 8. Got under weigh, and at six o'clock are now in 
the bay, steering for Lymington Eoad, where we arrived at 
nine o'clock and anchored, waiting for the ebb to carry us 
through the Needles at a league's distance. These rocks lie 
on the island side of the entrance, and on the opposite shore 
of the main land of England. On a point, of a mile or so 
in length, stands Hurst Castle, remarkable in history for 
being the prison of King Charles, not long before his ex- 
ecution. 

Aug. 10. Supposed off Berryhead, at five leagues distant. 
Afternoon changed our course and entered Dartmouth harbor. 

Aug. 11. At six o'clock, A. M., in the offing. Start bearing 
N. by E., four leagues distant ; dead calm ; ten vessels in 
sight. 

Aug. 13. Spoke brig Paragon, twenty-eight days out from 
Alexandria, with Mi-, and Mrs. Hughes on board. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 457 

Sept. 25. Arrived at Boston, and at half past three o'clock 
landed at the end of Long Wharf, after an absence of nine 
years and five months, occasioned by a lamented civil war, 
excited by ambitious, selfish men here and in England, to 
the disgrace, dishonor, distress, and disparagement of these 
extensive territories. By plunder and rapine some few have 
accumulated wealth, but many more are greatly injured in 
their circumstances ; some have to lament over the wreck of 
their departed wealth and estates, of which pitiable number 
I am ; my affairs having sunk into irretrievable ruin. 

TO CAPT. MICHAEL COOMBS, LONDON. 

Salem, Mass. Oct. 9, 1784. 
Dear Sir : 

This day fortnight, at half past three P. M., I landed on 
the head of the Long Wharf, in Boston, being the first Amer- 
ican ground I had touched since May 12, 1775, when I de- 
parted from Philadelphia. It is no less strange than unac- 
countable, how low, mean and diminutive everything on 
shore appeared to me. On Sunday, being the day following, 
I left for this place, where I alighted at the house of my 
former residence, and not a man, woman, or child, but ex- 
pressed a satisfaction at seeing me, and welcomed me back. 
Thus much for myself. 

The few things for your widow I have delivered into her 
hands, and I find her a woman of uncommon vigor and 
equanimity, nor do I think one to be met with who has bet- 
ter acquitted herself in the late trying times. By her reso- 
lution she has preserved the household furniture from confis- 
cation and waste, and your account-books from inspection, 
though menaced and flattered by the State agents. The 
melancholy derangement of my own aff'airs has so entirely 
unsettled me that I can scarce attend to anything. I think 
it very unlikely my house can be saved.^ It shall be among 
my first engagements to attend to your affairs. 

With real regard, your friend, 

S. CURWEN. 

' It was saved from confiscation. 
39 



458 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

TO JONATHAN SMITH, ESQ., PHILADELPHIA. 

Salem, Oct. 9, 1784. 
Dear Sir : 

A few days since I returned to the place of my nativity, 
after an absence of more than nine years, in which interval I 
find great revolutions to have taken place, not only with re- 
gard to the civil and political state of America in general, 
but also with respect to the property of individuals. Whilst 
some from the narrowest and basest condition have arisen to 
high honors and great wealth, others from comfortable, repu- 
table, and even respectable and affluent, have fallen into in- 
digent and distressed circumstances ; and although the latter 
is not exactly my case, I confess myself verging to that point ; 
my affairs are sadly deranged, but I hope time and applica- 
tion will cure the disorder. For that purpose, I beg you will 
forward to me a box containing my account-books left in 
your father's hands for security during my absence. 

Your most obedient servant, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO CAPT. MICHAEL COOMBS, LONDON. 

Salem, Nov. 15, 1784. 
Dear Sir : 

I have waited on Mr. Sewall,^ a lawyer of your town ; 
from him I learn he has undertaken to procure the necessary 
papers, and will, at my pressing instance, set about it imme- 
diately ; my argument being constantly, delay is almost as 
fatal to my friend as total neglect. 

I am now to congratulate you on the salvation of your 
wharf and warehouse from the villainous hands of the rapa- 
cious harpies, the Commissioners ; that part of your real 
estate, by great luck, was neglected in the libel by which your 
other was seized and confiscated, and therefore it still remains 
your property. What debts are claimed and proved, must, 
by the law that confiscates, be levied on and taken out of the 

I Mr. Samuel Sewall, of Marblehead, afterwards Chief Justice of Massa- 
chusetts. 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 459 

estate sold, the remainder escheats to the public treasury. 
But so infamously knavish has been the conduct of the Com- 
missioners, that though frequent attempts have been made to 
bring them to justice, and respond for the produce of the 
funds resting in their hands, so numerous are the defaulters 
in that august body, the General Court, that all efforts have 
hitherto proved vain. Not twopence in the pound have ar- 
rived to the public treasury of all the confiscations ! 

Mr. Sewall says, were you disposed, he would advise you 
not to come here, until the Act respecting Refugees or Ab- 
sentees be passed, which will be, it is thought, this session. 

The triumphant here look down with contempt on the 
vanquished ; their little minds are not equal to the astonish- 
ing success of their feeble arms. God bless the worthy and 
blast the villainous of every party .^ 

Very truly yours, 

S. CURWEN. 

TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL, BRISTOL, ENGLAKD. 

Salem, Nov. 22, 1784. 
Dear Sir : 

I find myself completely ruined. I confess I cannot bear 
to stay and perish under the ruins of my late ample property, 
and shall, therefore, as soon as I can recover my account- 
books, left in Philadelphia on my departure from America, 
and settle my deranged affairs, retreat to Nova Scotia, unless 
my allowance shall be taken from me. I am ignorant whether 
it may be prudent to make application to the Commissioners 
on American Refugees' Affairs ; but being here by their in- 
dulgence, I wish my allowance may continue. And if in 
this representation you can afford me any assistance by your- 
self, or in concert with Mr. Danforth, to whom I have also 
written, I shall thankfully acknowledge your counsel and aid, 
as a kind endeavor to rescue from want your old and faithful 
friend, S. Curwen. 

1 Capt. Coombs, to whom the foregoing letter was addressed, and who is 
often mentioned in Judge Curwen's Journal, was a respectable merchant of 
Marblehead, Mass., to which place he returned some years after the peace, 
and died there at an advanced age. 



460 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

1795. [The following letters were written ten years after 
Judge Curwen's return, when in his eightieth year. He sur- 
vived several years longer, having died at Salem, April, 
1802.] 

TO SAMUEL CURWEN, ESQ. 

Dorchester, Feh. 6, 1795. 
Dear Sir : 

Many years are elapsed since I saw you. Hearing lately 
that you were returned to Salem, I have taken this opportu- 
nity to write to you. In the year 1741 I was taken ill, and 
continued poorly several years, but as Providence ordered 
it, got better and have kept school here fourteen years ; I was 
Treasurer for the town thirty-seven years, and one of the Se- 
lectmen and Assessors thereof forty years. Although the 
most of our class that are dead seemed more likely to live 
long than I, yet to a wonder I am spared. It pleased God 
in his holy providence a few years since to deprive me of my 
habitation by fire ; by the help of friends I have got up a 
house, and have so far finished it that I and my family live 
in it. 

Be pleased to let me hear from you. If you can send a 
letter to Mr. Hopestill Capens, a kinsman of mine living in 
Boston, near the market, I hope I shall receive it. If you 
come to Boston, be pleased to come over and see me ; I live 
within four miles of the State-House. 

From your classmate, 

Noah Clap. 

TO NOAH CLAP. 

Salem, Feb. 18, 1795. 
My Friend Clap : 

Your unexpected but agreeable letter of the 6th inst. was 
received about a week since, wherein you say you are among 
the very few of our fellow-students and classmates that are 
still in the land of the living. This has been a subject of my 
frequent thoughts and inquiry ; the result follows : Willis, 
Clap, Cook, Curwen, Parsons, Smith, Pierce, Snell ; Hovey 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 461 

uncertain.^ You observe, " although most of our classmates 
that are dead and gone seemed more likely to live than /," etc. ; 
on which I remark, it is a subject of constant observation 
among persons of thought and reflection, to which by expe- 
rience I subscribe, that most of those whose health-promis- 
ing countenances, lively spirits, and great bodily strength 
promise long life, are most commonly cut off in the midst of 
life, while the more feeble, complaining, and those frequently 
confined by illness, are continued to a comparatively long 
life, and rendered capable of more enjoyment than in the 
days of youth and middle age, of which number I profess 
myself to be one. Thanks to the gracious Being who has, 
in mercy I hope, lengthened my life to one of the longest 
periods in these days, being entered, more than two months, 
in my eightieth year ; which I presume is your length of years. 
Agreeably to your invitation, I shall, when the roads and 
weather prove favorable for travelling, continue my next 
journey as far as your dwelling, and in the mean time I re- 
main, with due regards. 

Your friend and well-wisher, 

S. CURWEN. 

1 Judge Curwen was of the class (thirty-eight in number) graduated at 
Harvard College in 1735 ; of whom it seems eight, and perhaps nine, were 



living in 1795. 



89 * 



SUPPLEMENT 



CONTAININQ 

ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS, 

AND 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF INDIVIDUALS 

MENTIONED IN THE FOREGOING WORK. 



SUPPLEMENT. 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 



ADDRESS OF THE MERCHANTS AND OTHERS OF BOSTON TO 

GOV. HUTCHINSON. 

Boston, May 30, 1774. 

We, merchants and traders of the town of Boston, and others, do 
now wait on you, in the most respectful manner, before your depart- 
ure for England, to testify, for ourselves, the entire satisfaction we feel 
at your wise, zealous, and faithful administration, during the few years 
that you have presided at the head of this Province. Had your suc- 
cess been equal to your endeavors, and to the warmest wishes of your 
heart, we cannot doubt that many of the evils under which we now 
suffer would have been averted, and that tranquillity would have been 
restored to this long divided Province ; but we assure ourselves that 
the want of success in those endeavors will not abate your good wishes 
when removed from us, or your earnest exertions still on every occa- 
sion to serve the true interest of this your native country. 

While we lament the loss of so good a Governor, we are greatly 
relieved that his Majesty, in his gracious favor, hath appointed as 
your successor a gentleman, who, having distinguished himself in the 
long command he hath held in another department, gives us the most 
favorable prepossessions of his future administration. 

We greatly deplore the calamities that are impending and will soon 
fall on this metropolis, by the operation of a late Act of Parliament 
for shutting up the port on the first of next month. You cannot but 
be sensible, sir, of the numberless evils that will ensue to the Prov- 
ince in general, and the miseries and distresses into which it will par- 
ticularly involve this town, in the course of a few months. Without 
meaning to arraign the justice of the British Parliament, we could 



466 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

humbly wish that this Act had been couched with less rigor, and that 
the execution of it had been delayed to a more distant time, that the 
people might have had the alternative either to have complied with 
the conditions therein set forth, or to have submitted to the consequent 
evils on refusal ; but as it now stands, all choice is precluded, and 
however disposed to compliance or concession the people may be, they 
must unavoidably suffer very great calamities before they can receive 
relief. Making restitution for damage done to the property of the 
East India Company, or to the property of any individual, by the out- 
rage of the people, we acknowledge to be just; and though we have 
ever disavowed, and do now solemnly bear our testimony against such 
lawless proceedings, yet, considering ourselves as membei's of the same 
community, we are fully disposed to bear our proportions of those 
damages, whenever the sum and the manner of laying it can be ascer- 
tained. We earnestly request that you, sir, who know our condition, 
and have at all times displayed the most benevolent disposition to- 
wards us, will, on your arrival in England, interest yourself in our 
behalf, and make such favorable representations of our case, as that 
we may hope to obtain speedy and effectual relief. 

May you enjoy a pleasant passage to England ; and under all the 
mortifications you have patiently endured, may you possess the inward 
and consolatory testimonies of having discharged your trust with fidel- 
ity and honor, and receive those distinguishing marks of his Majesty's 
royal approbation and favor, as may enable you to pass the remainder 
of your life in quietness and ease, and preserve your name with 
honor to posterity. 

"William Blair, Theophilus Lillie, 

James Selkrig, Miles Whitworth, 

Archibald Wilson, James McEwen, 

Jeremiah Green, William Codner, 

Samuel H. Sparhawk, James Perkins, 

Joseph Turin, John White, 

"Roberts & Co., Robert Jarvis, 

John Greenlaw, William Perry, 

Benjamin Clark, James & Patrick McMasters, 

William McAlpine, William Coffin, 

Jonathan Snelling, Simeon Stoddard, Jr., 

James Hall, John Powell, 

William Dickson, Henry Laughton, 

John Winslow, Jr., Eliphalet Pond, 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 



467 



M. B. Goldthwait, 
Peter Hughes, 
Samuel Hughes, 
John Semple, 
Hopestill Capen, 
Edward King, 
Byfield Lynde, 
George Lynde, 
A. F. Phipps, 
Rufus Green, 
David Phips, 
Richard Smith, 
George Spooner, 
Daniel Silsby, 
William Cazneau, 
James Forrest, 
Edward Cox, 
John Berry, 
Richard Hirons, 
Ziphion Thayer, 
John Joy, 
Joseph Goldthwait, 
Samuel Prince, 
Jonathan Simpson, 
James Boutineau, 
Nathaniel Hatch, 
Martin Gay, 
Joseph Scott, 
Samuel Minot, 
Benjamin M. Holmes, 
Archibald McNiel, 
George Leonard, 
John Borland, 
Joshua Loring, Jr., 
William Jackson, 
James Anderson, 
David Mitchelson, 
Abraham Savage, 
James Asby, 
John In man, 
John Coffin, 



Thomas Knight, 
Benjamin Green, Jr., 
David Green, 
Benjamin Green, 
Henry H. Williams, 
James Warden, 
Nathaniel Coffin, Jr., 
Silvester Gardiner, 
John S. Copley, 
Edward Foster, 
Colbourn Burrell, 
Nathaniel Greenwood, 
William Burton, 
John Winslow, 
Isaac Winslow, Jr., 
Thomas Oliver, 
Henry Bloye, 
Benjamin Davis, 
Isaac Winslow, 
Lewis Deblois, 
Thomas Aylwin, 
William Bowes, 
Gregory Townsend, 
Francis Green, 
Philip Dumaresq, 
Harrison Gray, 
Peter Johonnot, 
George Erving, 
Joseph Green, 
John Vassall, 
Nathaniel Coffin, 
John Timmins, 
William Tailor, 
Thomas Brinley, 
Harrison Gray, Jr., 
John Taylor, 
Gilbert Deblois, - 
Joshua Winslow, 
Daniel Hubbard, 
Hugh Turbett, 
Henry Lyddell, 



468 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

Nathaniel Gary, Ezekiel Goldthwaite, 

George Brinlej, Benjamin Gridley, 

Richard Lechmere, John Atkinson, 

John Erving, Jr., Ebenezer Bridgham, 

Thomas Gray, John Gore, 

George Bethune, Adino Paddock. 
Thomas Apthorp, 

ADDRESS OF THE INHABITANTS OF MARBLEHEAD TO GOV. 

HUTCHINSON. 

Marblehead, ilf 03/ 25, 1774. 

His Majesty having been pleased to appoint his Excellency the 
Hon. Thomas Gage, Esq., to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief 
over this Province, and you (as we are informed) being speedily to 
embark for Great Britain : We, the subscribers, merchants, traders, 
and others, inhabitants of Marblehead, beg leave to present you our 
valedictory address on this occasion ; and as this is the only way we 
now have of expressing to you our entire approbation of your public 
conduct during the time you have presided in this Province, and of 
making you a return of our most sincere and hearty thanks for the 
ready assistance which you have at all times afforded us, when applied 
to in matters which affected our navigation and commerce, we are in- 
duced, from former experience of your goodness, to believe that you 
will freely indulge us in the pleasure of giving you this testimony of 
our sincere esteem and gratitude. 

In your public administration, we are fully convinced that the gen- 
eral good was the mark which you have ever aimed at, and we can, 
sir, with pleasure assure you, that it is likewise the opinion of all dis- 
passionate thinking men within the circle of our observation, notwith- 
standing many publications would have taught the world to think the 
contrary ; and we beg leave to entreat you, that, when you arrive at 
the Court of Great Britain, you would there embrace every opportu- 
nity of moderating the resentment of the Government against us, and 
use your best endeavors to have the unliappy dispute between Great 
Britain and this country brought to a just and equitable determi- 
nation. 

We cannot omit the opportunity of returning you in a particular 
manner our most sincere thanks for your patronizing our cause in the 
matter of entering and clearing the fishing vessels at the Custom- 
House, and making the fishermen pay hospital money ; we believe it 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 469 

is owing to your representation of the matter, that we are hitherto free 
from that burden. 

We heartily wish you, sir, a safe and prosperous passage to Great 
Britain, and when you arrive there may you find such a reception as 
shall fully compensate for all the insults and indignities which have 
been offered you. 

Henry Saunders, Nathan Bowen, 

Richard Hinkly, Thomas Robie, 

Samuel Reed, John Stimson, 

John Lee, John Webb, 

Robert Ambrose, Joseph Lee, 

Jonathan Glover, Thomas Lewis, 

Richard Phillips, Sweet Hooper, 

Isaac Mansfield, Robert Hooper, 

Joseph Bubier, Jacob Fowle, 

Richard Stacy, John Pedrick, 

Thomas Procter, Richard Reed, 

John Fowle, Benjamin Marston, 

Robert Hooper, 3d, Samuel White, 

John Gallison, Joseph Hooper, 

John Prince, * John Prentice, 

George McCall, Robert Hooper, Jr. 
Joseph Swasey, 

ADDRESS OF THE BABRISTERS AND ATTORNEYS OF MASSACHU- 
SETTS TO GOV. HUTCHINSON, MAY 30, 1774. 

A firm persuasion of your inviolable attachment to the real interests 
of this your native country, and of your constant readiness, by eveiy 
service in your power, to promote its true welfare and prosperity, will, 
we flatter ourselves, render it not improper in us, barristers and at- 
torneys-at-law in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, to address your 
Excellency upon your removal from us, with this testimonial of our 
sincere respect and esteem. 

The various important characters of Legislator, Judge, and First 
Magistrate over this Province, in which, by the suffrages of your fel- 
low-subjects, and by the royal favor of the best of kings, your great 
abilities, adorned with a uniform purity of principle and integrity of 
conduct, have been eminently distinguished, must excite the esteem 
and demand the grateful acknowledgments of every true lover of his 
country and friend to virtue. 

40 



470 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

The present perplexed state of our public affairs, we are sensible, 
must render your departure far less disagreeable to you than it is to 
us, — we assure you, sir, we feel the loss ; but when, in the amiable 
character of your successor, we view a fresh instance of the paternal 
goodness of our most gracious Sovereign ; when we reflect on the 
probability that your presence at the Court of Great Britain will 
afford you an opportunity of employing your interests more success- 
fully for the relief of this Province, and particularly of the town of 
Boston, under their present distresses, we tind a consolation which no 
other human source could afford. Permit us, sir, most earnestly to 
solicit the exertion of all your distinguished abilities in favor of your 
native town and country, upon this truly unhappy and distressing 
occasion. 

We sincerely wish you a prosperous voyage, a long continuation 
of health and felicity, and the highest rewards of the good and faith- 
ful. 

We are, sir, with the most cordial affection, esteem and respect. 

Your Excellency's most obedient and very humble servants, 

Robert Achrauty, Sampson S. Blowers, 

Jonathan Sewall, Shearjashub Brown, 

Samuel Fitch, Daniel Bliss, 

Samuel Quincy, Samuel Porter, 

William Pynchon, David Ingersoll, 

James Putnam, Jeremiah D. Rogers, 

Benjamin Gridley, David Gorham, 

Abel Willard, Samuel Sewall, 

Andrew Cazneau, John Sprague, 

Daniel Leonard, Rufus Chandler, 

John Lowell, Thomas Danforth, 

Daniel Oliver, Ebenezer Bradish. 

From the Essex Gazette of June 14, 1774. 
Messrs. Hall : 

As it is generally known that an Address from the Merchants, 
Traders, and others, in the town of Salem, to the late Governor 
Hutchinson, was signed by numbers of gentlemen belonging to the 
town ; and it being as well known that his Excellency gave his an- 
swer to the same, it remains now a matter of great speculation, espe- 
cially amongst those of the town of Boston who were foremost in 
promoting a plan so apparently beneficial in the present exigency of 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 471 

affairs in this Province, what sufficient reason can be assigned by the 
subscribers, (contrary to the very design of such an Address,) for then 
not making it public. Many conjectures might be admitted upon this 
matter, not to the honor of the concerned, which we shall omit for the 
present. Yours, 

Z. Y. 

From the Essex Ga?ette of June 1, 1775. 

Salem, May 30, 1775. 
Whereas we, the subscribers, did sometime since sign an Address 
to Governor Hutchinson, which, though prompted to by the best 
intentions, has, nevertheless, given great offence to our country: We 
do now declare, that we were so far from designing, by that action, to 
show our acquiescence in those Acts of Parliament so universally and 
justly odious to all America, that, on the contrary, we hoped we might 
in that way contribute to their repeal ; though now to our sorrow we 
find ourselves mistaken. And we do now further declare that we 
never intended the offence which this Address has occasioned ; that if 
we had foreseen such an event we should never have signed it ; as it 
always has been and now is our wish to live in harmony with our 
neighbors, and our serious determination is to promote to the utmost 
of our power the liberty, the welfare, and happiness of our country, 
which is inseparably connected with our own. 

John Nutting, E. A. Holyoke, 

N. Goodale, William Pynchon, 

Ebenezer Putnam, Thomas Barnard, 

Francis Cabot, Nathaniel Dabney, 

N. Sparhawk, William Pickman, 

Andrew Dalglish, C. Gayton Pickman. 

In Committee of Safety, Salem, May 30, 1775. The declaration, 
of which the above is a copy, being presented and read, it was voted 
unanimously that the same was satisfactory ; and that the said gentle- 
men ought to be received and treated as real friends to this country. 

By order of the Committee, 

Richard Derby, Jr., Chairman. 

In the same paper of June 1, 1775, immediately following the 
above, is a communication to the Committee of Safety from the late 
Rev. Thomas Barnard, dated May 25, 1775 : — 



472 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

Gentlemen : 

A suspicion of being inimical to those with whom we are connected 
in society, and whom we esteem and love, cannot but give severe pain 
to a generous mind. Unhappily, I have been viewed by my country- 
men in a light so disagreeable. The Address which I signed to Gov- 
ernor Hutchinson upon his leaving this Province, I signed with no 
party views, with no design whatever of injuring that country with 
the prosperity of which my dearest human interests are closely con- 
nected, but with strong hopes of promoting the lasting peace and wel- 
fare of my native land. But I own my fond expectations arising 
therefrom have been disappointed. The cause of America I look 
upon as capable of full defence by the voice of justice and the British 
Constitution ; and shall be ever ready to support it in that way which 
the united wisdom of the Continent shall dictate. 

Such are my sentiments, and upon the strength of them I would 
request of my countrymen to throw the veil of charity and forgive- 
ness over any incautious action of mine which may have led them to 
think unfavorably of me, and to grant me a place in their esteem, 
which I shall ever think myself happy in deserving. 

Thomas Barnard, Jr. 

In Committee of Safety, Salem, May 25, 1775. — The declaration, 
of which the above is a copy, being presented and read, it was voted 
unanimously that the same was satisfactory ; and that the said gentle- 
man ought to be received and treated as a real friend to his country. 
By order of the Committee, 

Richard Derby, Jr., Chairman. 

From the Essex Gazette, June 14, 1774. 

Last Saturday, (June 11th, 1774,) the following Address was pre- 
sented to his Excellency the Governor : — 

To his Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq., Captain-General, Governor 
and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Massachusetts Bay 
in New England, and Lieutenant- General of his Majesty's Forces. 

May it please your Excellency: 

We, merchants and others, inhabitants of the ancient town of Salem, 
beg leave to approach your Excellency with our most respectful con- 
gratulations on } our arrival in this place. 

We are deeply sensible of his Majesty's paternal care and affection 
to this Province, in the appointment of a person of your Excellency's 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 



473 



experience, wisdom, and moderation, in these troublesome and difficult 
times. 

We rejoice that this town is graciously distinguished for that spirit, 
loyalty, and reverence for the laws, which is equally our glory and 
happiness. 

From that public spirit and warm zeal to promote the general hap- 
piness of men, which mark the great and good, we are led to hope 
under your Excellency's administration for everything that may 
promote the peace, prosperity, and real welfare of this Province. 

We beg leave to commend to your Excellency's patronage the 
trade and commerce of this place, which, from a full protection of 
the liberties, persons and properties of individuals, cannot but flourish. 

And we assure your Excellency we will make it our constant en- 
deavors by peace, good order, and a regard for the laws, as far as in 
us lies, to render your station and residence easy and happy. 



John Sargent, 
Jacob Ashton, 
William Wetraore, 
James Grant, 
Henry Higginson, 
David Britton, 
P. G. Kast, 
Weld Gardner, 
Nathaniel Dabney, 
Richard NichoUs, 
William Cabot, 
Gabot Gerrish, 
William Gerrish, 
Rowland Savage, 
William Lilly, 
Jonathan Goodhue, 
Nathan Goodale, 
William Pick man, 
C. Gayton Pickman, 
Nathaniel Sparhawk, 
William Vans, 
Timothy Orne, 
Richard Routh, 
Stephen Higginson, 
40 * 



John Prince, 
George Deblois, 
Andrew Dalglish, 
Joseph Blaney, 
Arclielaus Putnam, 
Samuel Porter, 
Thomas Poynton, 
Samuel Flagg, 
Benjamin Lynde, 
William Browne, 
John Turner, 
P. Frye, 
Francis Cabot, 
William Pynchon, 
John Fisher, 
John Mascarene, 
E. A. Holyoke, 
Jos. Bowditch, 
Ebenezer Putnam, 
S. Curwen, 
John Nutting, 
Jos. Dowse, 
Benjamin Pickman, 
Henry Gardner, 



474 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 



The " Loyal Address from the Gentlemen and Principal 
Inhabitants of Boston to Governor Gage, on his de- 
parture FOR England, October 6, 1775," was signed as 
follows : — 



John Erving, 
Thomas Hutchinson, Jr., 
Sylvester Gardiner, 
Wm. Bowes, 
John Timmins, 
Nathaniel Coffin, 
John Winslow, Jr., 
Alexander Bymer, 
Robert Hallowell, 
Robert Jarvis, 
David Phips, 
John Tayler, 
Archibald McNeal, 
Francis Green, 
Benjamin Davis, 
John Sampson, 
William Tayler, 
John In man, 
Wm. PeiTy, 
John Gore, 
Isaac Winslow, Jr., 
Thomas Courtney, 
John Love, 
Hugh Tarbett, 
Nathaniel Perkins, 
John Powell, 
James Selkrig, 
Archibald Cunningham, 
William Cazneau, 
David Barton, 
John Semple, 
Henry Lawton, 
William Brattle, 
John Troutbeck, 
Stephen Greenleaf, 
William Walter, 



James Perkins, 
Philip Dumaresque, 
Joshua Loring, Jr., 
Henry Lloyd, 
William Lee Perkins, 
George Leonard, 
Thomas Brinley, 
Daniel Hubbard, 
Samuel Fitch, 
John Atkinson, 
Joseph Turin, 
Samuel Hirst Sparhawk, 
Ebenezer Brigham, 
William Codner, 
Jonathan Snelling, 
Benjamin Gridley, 
Gilbert Deblois, 
Edward Hutchinson, 
Miles Whitworth, 
Daniel McMasters, 
John Hunt, 3d, 
James Lloyd, 
William McAlpine, 
John Greecart, 
William Dickerson, 
William Hunter, 
Robert Semple, 
John Joy, 

Gregory Townsend, 
Isaac Winslow, 
Byfield Lyde, 
Richard Clarke, 
Benjamin Fanieul, Jr., 
Thomas Amory, 
George Brindley, 
Ralph Inman, 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 



475 



Edward Winslow, 
Benjamin M. Holmes, 
William Jackson, 
Richard Green, 
James Murray, 
Joseph Scott, 
Peter Johonnot, 
Nathaniel Gary, 
Martin Gay, 
Samuel Hughes, 
William Coffin, Jr., 
Adino Paddock, 
Andrew Cazneau, 



Henry Lindall, 
Theophilus Lillie, 
Henry Barnes, 
M. B. Goldthwait, 
Lewis Gray, 
Nathaniel Brinley, 
John Jeffries, Jr., 
Archibald Bowman, 
Jonathan Simpson, 
Nathaniel Tayler, 
James Anderson, 
Lewis Deblois. 



The Loyal Address to Governor Gage, on his departure, 
October 14, 1775, of those Gentlemen who were driven 
from their habitations in the country to the town of 
Boston, was signed by the following persons: — 

John Chandler, Jonathan Stearns, 

James Putnam, Ward Chipman, 

Peter Oliver, Sen., William Chandler, 

Seth Williams, Jr., Thomas Foster, 

Charles Curtis, Pelham Winslow, 

Samuel Pine, Daniel Oliver, 

David Phips, Edward Winslow, Jr., 

Richard Saltonstall, Nathaniel Chandler, 

Peter Oliver, Jr., James Putnam, Jr. 



Conspiracy Act. 

An Act to confiscate the instates of certain notorious Conspirators 
against the Government and Liberties of the Inhabitants of the 
late Province, now State, of Massachusetts Bay. 

Whereas the several persons hereinafter mentioned, have wickedly 
conspired to overthrow and destroy the Constitution and Government 
of the late Province of Massachusetts Bay, as established by the Char- 
ter agreed upon by and betw^een their late Majesties William and 
Mary, late King and Queen of England, etc., and the inhabitants of 
said Province, now State of Massachusetts Bay ; and also to reduce 
the said inhabitants under the absolute power and domination of the 
present King, and of the Parliament of Great Britain, and, as far as 



476 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

in them lay, have aided and assisted the same King and Parliament 
in their endeavors to establish a despotic Government over the said 
inhabitants : 

Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representa- 
tives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, 
that Francis Bernard, Baronet, Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., late Gov- 
ernor of the late Province, now State, of Massachusetts Bay, Thomas 
Oliver, Esq., late Lieutenant-Governor, Harrison Gray, Esq., late 
Treasurer, Thomas Flucker, Esq., late Secretary, Peter Oliver, Esq., 
late Chief Justice, Foster Hutchinson, John Erving, Jr., George Erv- 
ing, William Pepperell, Baronet, James Boutineau, Joshua Loring, 
Nathaniel Hatch, William Browne, Richard Lechmere, Josiah Edson, 
Nathaniel Ray Thomas, Timothy Ruggles, John Murray, Abijah Wil- 
lard, and Daniel Leonard, Esqs., late Mandamus Councillors of said 
late Province, William Burch, Henry Hulton, Charles Paxton, and 
Benjamin Hallowell, Esqs., late Commissioners of the Customs, Robert 
Auchmuty, Esq., late Judge of the Vice- Admiralty Court, Jonathan 
Sewall, Esq., late Attorney-General, Samuel Quincy, Esq., late Soli- 
citor-General, Samuel Fitch, Esq., Solicitor or Counsellor-at-law to 
the Board of Commissioners, have justly incurred the forfeiture of 
all, their property, rights and liberties, holden under and derived 
from tlie Government and laws of this State ; and that each and 
every of the persons aforenamed and described shall be held, taken, 
deemed and adjudged to have renounced and lost all civil and political 
relation to this and the other United States of America, and be con- 
sidered as aliens. 

Sect. 2. Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all the 
goods and chattels, rights and credits, lands, tenements and heredita- 
ments of every kind, of which any of the persons hereinbefore named 
and described, were seized or possessed, or were entitled to possess, 
hold, enjoy or demand, in their own right, or which any other person 
stood or doth stand seized or possessed of, or are or were entitled to 
have or demand to and for their use, benefit, and behoof, shall escheat, 
enure and accrue to the sole use and benefit of the Government and 
people of this State, and are accordingly hereby declared so to escheat, 
enure and accrue, and the said Government and people shall be taken, 
deemed and adjudged, and are accordingly hereby declared to be in 
the real and actual possession of all such goods, chattels, rights and 
credits, lands, tenements and hereditaments, without further inquiry, 
adjudication or determination hereafter to be had ; anything in the 
Act, entitled, " An Act for Confiscating the Effects of certain persons 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 477 

commonly called Absentees," or any other law, usage, or custom to 
the contrary notwithstanding : provided always, that the escheat shall 
not be construed to extend to or operate upon any goods, chattels, 
rights, credits, lands, tenements or hereditaments, of which the per- 
sons aforenamed and described, or some other, in their right and to 
their use, have not been seized or possessed, or entitled to be seized or 
possessed, or to have or demand as aforesaid, since the nineteenth day 
of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and 
seventy-five. — \_Passed April 30, 1779. Not revised.'] 

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

An Act for Confiscating the Estates of certain persons commonly 

called Absentees. 

Whereas every Government hath a right to command the personal 
services of all its members, whenever the exigencies of the State shall 
require it, especially in times of an impending or actual invasion, no 
member thereof can then withdraw himself from the jurisdiction of 
the Government, and thereby deprive it of the benefit of his personal 
services, without justly incurring the forfeiture of all his property, 
rights and liberties, holden under and derived from that constitution 
of Government, to the support of which he hath refused to afford his 
aid and assistance : and whereas the King of Great Britain did cause 
the Parliament thereof to pass divers Acts in direct violation of the 
fundamental rights of the people of this and of the other United 
States of America ; particularly one certain Act to vacate and annul 
the Charter of this Government, the great compact made and agreed 
upon between his royal predecessors and our ancestors ; and one 
other Act, declai-ing the people of said States to be out of his protec- 
tion ; and did also levy war against them, for the purpose of erecting 
and establishing an arbitrary and despotic Govei-nment over them; 
whereupon it became the indispensable duty of all the people of said 
States forthwith to unite in defence of their common freedom, and by 
arms to oppose the fleets and armies of the said King ; yet neverthe- 
less, divers of the members of this and of the other United States of 
America, evilly disposed, or regardless of their duty towards their 
country, did withdraw themselves from this, and other of the said 
United States, into parts and places under the acknowledged authority 
and dominion of the said King of Great Britain, or into parts and 
places within the limits of the said States, but in the actual possession 
and under the power of the fleets or armies of the said King ; thereby 



478 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

abandoning the liberties of their country, seeking the protection of the 
said King, and of his fleets or armies, and aiding or giving encourage- 
ment and countenance to their operations against the United States 
aforesaid : 

Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representa- 
tives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, 
that every inhabitant and member of the late Province, now State, of 
Massachusetts Bay, or of any other of the late Provinces or Colonies, 
now United States of America, who, since the nineteenth day of 
April, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, 
hath levied war or conspired to levy war against the Government and 
people of any of the said Provinces or Colonies, or United States ; or 
who hath adhei'ed to the said King of Great Britain, his fleets or 
armies, enemies of the said Provinces or Colonies, or United States, or 
hath given to them aid or comfort; or who, since the said nineteenth 
day of April, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy- 
five, hath withdrawn, without the permission of the Legislative or Ex- 
ecutive authority of this or some other of the said United States, from 
any of the said Provinces or Colonies, or United States, into parts and 
places under the acknowledged authority and dominion of the said 
King of Great Britain, or into any parts or places within the limits of 
any of the said Provinces, Colonies, or United States, being in the 
actual possession and under the power of the fleets or armies of the 
said King ; or who, before the said nineteenth day of April, Anno 
Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and after the 
arrival of Thomas Gage, Esq., (late Commander-in-Chief of all his 
Britannic Majesty's forces in North America,) at Boston, the metrop- 
olis of this State, did withdraw from their usual places of habitation 
within this State, into the said town of Boston, with an intention to 
seek and obtain the protection of the said Thomas Gage and of the 
said forces, then and there being under his command ; and who hath 
died in any of the said parts or places, or hath not returned into some 
one of the said United States, and been received as a subject thereof, 
and (if required) taken an oath of allegiance to such States, shall be 
held, taken, deemed and adjudged to have freely renounced all civil 
and political relation to each and every of the said United States, and 
be considered as an alien. 

Sect. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that 
all the goods and chattels, rights and credits, lands, tenements, heredi- 
taments of every kind, of which any of the persons hereinbefore de- 
scribed were seized or possessed, or were entitled to possess, hold, 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 479 

enjoy or demand, in their own right, or which any other person stood 
or doth stand seized or possessed of, or are or were entitled to have or 
demand to and for (heir use, benefit and behoof, shall escheat, enure 
and accrue to the sole use and benefit of the Government and people 
of this State, and are accordingly hereby declared so to escheat, enure 
and accrue. — \_Passed April 30, 1779. Not revised.'] 

MANDAMUS COUNCILLORS. 

Salem, Aug. 9, 1774. The following were appointed by his Maj- 
esty Councillors of this Province, by Writ of Mandamus,-^ viz : — 

Col. Thomas Oliver, Lieut.-Governor, President ; Peter Oliver, 
Thomas Flucker, Foster Hidcldnson, Thomas Hutchinson, Jr., Harri- 
son Gray, Judge Samuel Danforth, Col. John Erving, Jr., James Rus- 
sell, Timothy Ruggles, Joseph Lee, Isaac Wlnslow, Israel Williams, 
Col. George Watson, Nathaniel Ray Thomas, Timothy Woodbridge, 
William Vassall, William Browne, Joseph Greene, James Boutineau, 
Andrew Oliver, Col. Josiah Edson, Richard Lechraere, Commodore 
Joshua Loring, John Worthington, Timothy Paine, William Pepper- 
ell, Jeremiah Powell, Jonathan Simpson, Col. John Murray, Daniel 
Leonard, Thomas Palmer, Col. Isaac Royall, Robert Hooper, Abijah 
Willard, Capt. John Erving, Jr. 

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

An Act to prevent the return to this State of certain persons therein 
named, and others loho have left this State or either of the United 
States, and joined the Enemies thereof. 

Whereas Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., late Governor of this State, 
Francis Bernard, Esq., formerly Governor of this State, Thomas Oli- 
ver, Esq., late Lieut.-Governor of this State, Timothy Ruggles, Esq., 
of Haidwick, in the county of Worcester, William Apthorp, mer- 
chant, Gibbs Atkins, cabinet-maker, John Atkinson, John Amory, 
James Anderson, Thomas Apthorp, David Black, William Burton, 
William Bowes, George Brindley, Robert Blair, Thomas Brindley, 
James Barrick, merchant, Thomas Brattle, Esq., Sampson Salter 
Blowers, Esq., James Bruce, Ebenezer Bridgham, Alexander Bry- 
mer, Edward Berry, merchants, William Burch, Esq., late Commis- 
sioner of the Customs, Mather Byles, Jun., clerk, William Codner, 
book-keeper, Edward Cox, merchant, Andrew Cazneau, Esq., barris- 
ter-at-law, Henry Canner, clerk, Thomas Courtney, tailor, Richard 
1 Those whose names are in italics alone took the oath of office. 



480 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

Clark, Esq., Isaac Clark, physician, Benjamin Church, physician, 
John Coffin, distiller, John Clark, physician, William Coffin, Esq., Na- 
thaniel Coffin, Esq., Jonathan Clark, merchant, Archibald Cunning- 
ham, shop-keeper, Gilbert Deblois, merchant, Lewis Deblois, mer- 
chant, Philip Dumaresque, merchant, Benjamin Davis, merchant, 
John Erving, Jun., Esq., George Erving, Esq., Edward Foster and 
Edward Fostei", Jun., blacksmiths, Benjamin Faneuil, Jun., merchant, 
Thomas Flucker, Esq., late Secretary for Massachusetts Bay, Samuel 
Fitch, E?q., Wilfret Fisher, carter, James Forrest, merchant, Lewis 
Gray, merchant, Francis Green, merchant, Joseph Green, Esq., Syl- 
vester Gardiner, Esq., Harrison Gray, Esq., late Treasurer of Massa- 
chusetts Bay, Harrison Gray, Jun., clerk to the Treasurer, Joseph 
Goldthwait, Esq., Martin Gay, founder, John Gore, Esq., Benjamin 
Hallowell, Esq., Robert Hallowell, Esq., Thomas Hutchinson, Jun., 
Esq., Benjamin Gridley, Esq., Frederick William Geyer, merchant, 
John Greenlaw, shop-keeper, David Green, merchant, Elisha Hutch- 
inson, Esq., James Hall, mariner, Foster Hutchinson, Esq., Benjamin 
Mulbury Holmes, distiller, Samuel Hodges, book-keeper, Henry Hal- 
son, Esq., Hawes Hatch, wharfinger, John Joy, housewright, Peter 
Johonnot, distiller, William Jackson, merchant, John Jeffi'ies, physi- 
cian, Henry Laughton, merchant, James Henderson, trader, John 
Hinston, yeoman, Christopher Hatch, mariner, Robert Jarvis, mariner, 
Richard Lechmere, Esq., Edward Lyde, merchant, Henry Lloyd, 
Esq., George Leonard, miller, Henry Leddle, book-keepei", Archibald 
McNeil, baker, Christopher Minot, tide-waiter, James Murray, Esq., 
William McAlpine, bookbinder, Thomas Mitchell, mariner, William 
Martin, Esq., John Knutton, tallow-chandler, Thomas Knight, shop- 
keeper, Samuel Prince, merchant, Adino Paddock, Esq., Charles 
Paxton, Esq., Sir William Pepperell, Baronet, John Powell, Esq., 
William Lee Perkins, physician, Nathaniel Perkins, Esq., Samuel 
Quincy, Esq., Owen Richards, tide-waiter, Samuel Rogers, merchant, 
Jonathan Simpson, Esq., George Spooner, merchant, Edward Stowe, 
mariner, Richard Smith, merchant, Jonathan Snelling, Esq., David 
Silsby, trader, Samuel Sewall, Esq., Abraham Savage, tax-gatherer, 
Joseph Scott, Esq., Francis Skinner, clerk to the late Council, Wil- 
liam Simpson, merchant, Richard Sherwin, saddler, Henry Smith, 
merchant,' John Semple, merchant, Robert Semple, merchant, Thomas 
Selkrig, merchant, James Selkrig, merchant, Robert Service, trader, 
Simon Tufts, trader, Arodi Thayer, late Marshal to the Admiralty 
Court, Nathaniel Taylor, deputy Naval Officer, John Troutbeck, clerk, 
Gregory Townsend, Esq , William Taylor, merchant, William Vassal, 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 481 

Esq., Joseph Taylor, merchant, Joshua Upharn, Esq., William Wal- 
ter, clerk, Samuel Waterhouse, merchant, Isaac Winslow, merchant, 
John Winslow, Jr., merchant, David Willis, mariner, Obadiah Whis- 
ton, blacksmith, Archibald Wilson, trader, John White, mariner, Wil- 
liam Warden, peruke-maker, Nathaniel Mills, John Hicks, John 
Howe, and John Fleming, printers, all of Boston, in the county of 
Suffolk, Robert Auchmuty, Esq., Joshua Loring, Esq., both of Rox- 
bury, in the same county, Samuel Goldsbury, yeoman, of Wrentham, 
in the county of Suffolk, Joshua Loring, Jr., merchant, Nathaniel 
Hatch, Esq., both of Dorchester, in the same county, William Brown, 
Esq., Benjamin Pickman, Esq., Samuel Porter, Esq., John Sargeant, 
traderTldl of Salem, in the county of Essex, Richard Saltonstall, 
Esq., of Haverhill, in the same county, Thomas Robie, trader, Ben- 
jamin Marston, merchant, both of Marblehead, in said county of Es- 
sex, Moses Badger, clerk, of Haverhill, aforesaid, Jonathan Sewall, 
Esq., John Vassall, Esq., David Phipps, Esq., John Nutting, carpen- 
ter, all of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex, Isaac Royall, Esq., 
of Medford, in the same county, Henry Barnes, of Marlborough, in 
said county of Middlesex, merchant, Jeremiah Dummer Rogers, of 
Littleton, in the same county, Esq., Daniel Bliss, of Concord, in the 
said county of Middlesex, Esq., Charles Russell, of Lincoln, in the 
same county, physician, Joseph Adams, of Townsend, in said county 
of Middlesex, Thomas Danforth, of Charlestown, in said county, Esq., 
Joshua Smith, trader, of Townsend, in said county, Joseph Ashley, 
Jr., gentleman, of Sunderland, Nathaniel Dickenson, gentleman, of 
Deerfield, Samuel Bliss, shopkeeper, of Greenfield, Roger Dickenson, 
yeoman, Joshah Pomroy, physician, and Thomas Cutler, gentleman, 
of Hatfield, Jonathan Bliss, Esq., of Springfield, William Galway, 
yeoman, of Conway, Elijah Williams, attorney-at-law, of Deerfield, 
James Oliver, gentleman, of Conway, all in the^ county of Hampshire, 
Pelham Winslow, Esq., Cornelius White, mariner, Edward Winslow, 
Jr., Esq., all of Plymouth, in the county of Plymouth, Peter Oliver, 
Esq., Peter Oliver, Jr., physician, both of Middleborough, in the same 
county, Josiah Edson, Esq., of Bridgewater, in the said county of 
Plymouth, Lieutenant Daniel Dunbar, of Halifax, in the same county, 
Charles Curtis, of Scituate, in the said county of Plymouth, gentle- 
man, Nathaniel Ray Thomas, Esq., Israel Tilden, Caleb Carver, Seth 
Bryant, Benjamin Walker, Gideon Walker, Zera Walker, Adam Hall, 
tertius, Isaac Joice, Joseph PhiUips, Daniel Wliite, Jr., Cornelius 
White, tertius, Melzar Carver, Luke Hall, Thomas Decrow, John 
Baker, Jr., all of Marshfield, in the said county of Plymouth, Gideon 

41 



482 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

White, Jr., Daniel Leonard, Esq., Seth Williams, Jr., gentleman, Sol- 
omon Smith, boatman, all of Taunton, in the county of Bristol, 
Thomas Gilbert, Esq., Perez Gilbert, Ebenezer Hathaway, Jr., Lot 
Strange, the third, Zebedee Terree, Bradford Gilbert, all of Free- 
town, in the same county, Joshua Broomer, Shadrach Hathaway, Cal- 
vin Hathaway, Luther Hathaway, Henry Tisdel, William Burden, 
Levi Chace, Shadrach Chase, Richard Holland, Ebenezer Phillips, 
Samuel Gilbei't, gentleman, Thomas Gilbert, Jr., yeoman, both of 
Berkley, in the said county of Bristol, Ammi Chace, Caleb Wheaton, 
Joshua Wilbore, Lemuel Bourn, gentleman, Thomas Perry, yeoman, 
David Atkins, laborer, Samuel Perry, mariner, Stephen Perry, la- 
borer, John Blackwell, Jr., laborer, Francis Finney, laborer, and Ne- 
hemiah Webb, mariner, all of Sandwich, in the county of Bai'nstable, 
Eldad Tupper, of Dartmouth, in the county of Bristol, laborer, Silas 
Perry, laborer, Seth Perry, mariner, Elisha Bourn, gentleman, Thomas 
Bumpus, yeoman, Ephraim Ellis, Jr., yeoman, Edward Bourn, gentle- 
man, Nicholas Cobb, laborer, William Bourn, cordwainer, all of Sand- 
wich, in the county of Barnstable, and Seth Bangs, of Harwich, in 
the county of Barnstable, mariner, John Chandler, Esq., James Put- 
nam, Esq., Rufus Chandler, gentleman, William Paine, physician, 
Adam Walker, blacksmith, William Chandler, gentleman, all of Wor- 
cester, in the county of Worcester, John Walker, gentleman, David 
Bush, yeoman, both of Shrewsbury, in the same county, Abijah Wil- 
lard, Esq., Abel Willard, Esq., Joseph House, yeoman, all of Lancas- 
ter, in the said county of Worcester, Ebenezer Cutler, trader, James 
Edgar, yeoman, both of Northbury, in the same county, Daniel Oli- 
ver, Esq., Richard Ruggles, yeoman, Gardner Chandler, trader, Jo- 
seph Ruggles, gentleman, Nathaniel Ruggles, yeoman, all of Hard- 
wick, in the said county of Worcester, John Ruggles, yeoman, of said 
Hardwick, John Eager, yeoman, Ebenezer Whipple, Israel Conkay, 
John Murray, Esq., of Rutland, in said county of Worcester, Daniel 
Murray, gentleman, Samuel Murray, gentleman, Michael Martin, 
trader, of Brookfield, in the said county of Worcester, Thomas Bea- 
man, gentleman, of Petersham, in the same county, Nathaniel Chand- 
ler, gentleman, John Bowen, gentleman, of Princeton, in the said 
county of Worcester, James Crage, gentleman, of Oakham, in the 
same county, Thomas Mullins, blacksmith, of Leominster, in the said 
county of Worcester, Francis Waldo, Esq., Arthur Savage, Esq., 
Jeremiah Pote, mariner, Thomas Ross, mariner, James Wildridge, 
mariner, George Lyde, Custom-house officer, Robert Pagan, mer- 
chant, Thomas Wyer, mariner, Thomas Coulson, merchant, John Wis- 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 483 

wall, clerk, Joshua Eldridge, mariner, Thomas Oxnard, merchant, 
Edward Oxnard, merchant, William Tyng, Esq., John Wright, mer- 
chant, Samuel Longfellow, mariner, all of Falmouth, in the county of 
Cumberland, Charles Callahan, of Pownalborough, in the county of 
Lincoln, mariner, Jonas Jones, of East Hoosuck, in the county of 
Berkshire, David Ingersoll, Esq., of Great Barrington, in the same 
county, Jonathan Prindall, Benjamin Noble, Francis Noble, Elisha 
Jones, of Pittsfield, in the said county of Berkshire, John Graves, 
yeoman, Daniel Brewer, yeoman, both of Pittsfield, aforesaid, Richard 
Square, of Lanesborough, in the said county of Berkshire, Ephraim 
Jones, of East Hoosuck, in the same county, Lewis Hubbell, and 
many other persons have left this State, or some other of the United 
States of America, and joined the enemies thereof, and of the United 
States of America, thereby not only depriving these States of their 
personal services at a time when they ought to have afforded their ut- 
most aid in defending the said States, against the invasions of a cruel 
enemy, but manifesting an inimical disposition to the said States, and 
a design to aid and abet the enemies thereof in their wicked purposes, 
and whei'eas, many dangers may accrue to this State and the United 
States, if such persons should be again admitted to reside in this 
State : 

Sect. 1. Be it therefore enacted by the Council and House of 
Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, that if either of the said pei'sons, or any other person, 
though not specially named in this Act, who have left this State, or 
either of said States, and joined the enemies thereof as aforesaid, 
shall, after the passing this Act, voluntarily return to this State, it 
shall be the duty of the sheriff of the county, and of the selectmen, 
committees of correspondence, safety, and inspection, grand-jurors, 
constables, and tjthingmen, and other inhabitants of the town wherein 
such person or persons may presume to come, and they are hereby 
respectively empowered and directed forthwith to apprehend and 
carry such person or persons before some justice of the peace with- 
in the county, who is hereby required to commit him or them to 
the common gaol within the county, there in close custody to re- 
main until he shall be sent out of the State, as is hei'einafter directed; 
and such justice is hereby directed to give immediate information 
thereof to the Board of War of this State : and the said Board of 
War are hereby empowered and directed to cause such person or 
persons so committed, to be transported to some part or place with- 
in the dominions, or in the possession of the forces of the King of 



484 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

m 

Great Britain, as soon as may be after receiving such information ; 
those who are able, at their own expense, and others at the ex- 
pense of this State, and for this purpose to hire a vessel or vessels, 
if need be. 

Sect. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that 
if any person or persons, who shall be transported as aforesaid, shall 
voluntarily return into this State, without liberty first had and ob- 
tained from the General Court, he shall, on conviction thereof before 
the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and Genei'al Gaol 
Dehvery, suffer the pains of death without benefit of clergy. — 
\_Passed, September, 1778.] 

WORCESTER RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO THE ABSENTEES AND 

REFUGEES. 

The following votes were passed by the Citizens of Worcester, 
May 19, 1783, and contain the substance of their doings relative to 
the Refugees : — 

Voted — That, in the opinion of this town, it would be extremely 
dangerous to the peace, happiness, liberty and safety of these States. 
to suffer those, who, the moment the bloody banners were displayed, 
abandoned their native land, turned parricides, and conspired to in- 
volve their country in tumult, ruin, and blood to become the subjects 
of and reside in this Government ; that it would be not only danger- 
ous, but inconsistent with justice, policy, our past laws, the public 
faith, and the principles of a free and independent Sate, to admit 
them ourselves, or have them forced upon us without our consent. 

Voted — That, in the opinion of this town, this Commonwealth 
ought, with the utmost caution, to naturalize or in any other way 
admit as subjects a common enemy, a set of people who have been 
by the united voice of the Continent declared outlaws, exiles, aliens, 
and enemies, dangerous to its political being and happiness. 

Voted — That, while there are thousands of the innocent, peace- 
able and defenceless inhabitants of these States, whose property has 
been destroyed and taken from them in the course of the war, for 
whom no provision is made, to whom there is no restoration of estates, 
no compensation for losses ; that it would be unreasonable, cruel and 
unjust, to suffer those who were the wick,ed occasion of those losses 
to obtain a restitution of the estates they refused to protect, and which 
they have abandoned and forfeited to their country. 

Voted — That it is the expectation of this town, and the earnest 
request of their committees of correspondence, inspection, and safety, 



EVACUATING LOYALISTS. 



485 



that they, with care and diligence, will observe the movements of our 
only remaining enemies ; that, until the further order of Government, 
they will, with decision, spirit and firmness, endeavor to enforce 
and carry into execution the several laws of this Commonwealth, 
respecting these enemies to our rights and the rights of mankind ; 
give information, should they know of any obtruding themselves into 
any part of this State, suffer none to remain in this town, but cause 
to be confined immediately, for the purpose of transportation accord- 
ing to law, any that may presume to enter it. 

List of the Inhabitants of Boston, who, on the Evacua- 
tion OF the British in March, 1776, removed to Halifax 
WITH the Army. 

No. of family. 

Edw'd Winslow, Collector, 

Boston, 1 

Charles Dudley, Coll., New- 
port, 2 

George Meserve, Coll., Pis- 
cataqua, 1 



No. of family. 

Lieut.-Gov. Oliver and servts. 6 

Council, S^e. 

Peter Oliver and niece, 2 

Harrison Gray and family, 5 

Timothy Ruggles and sons, 3 



Foster Hutchinson and family, 13 Rob't Hallowell, Comptrol., 



Josiah Edson, 1 

John Mui'ray and family, 7 

Rich'd Lechmere and family, 12 

John Erving and family, 9 

Nath'l Ray Thomas and son, 2 

Abijah Willard and sons, 3 

Daniel Leonard and family, 9 

Nath'l Hatch and family, 7 

George Erving and family, 6 

Custom- House. 

Henry Hutton and family, 12 

Charles Paxton and family, 6 

Benj. Hallowell and family, 7 
Sam'l Waterhouse, Sec'y, 

and family, 7 

James Porter, Comp.-Gen'l. 1 

Walter Barrell, Insp.-Gen'l. 6 

James Murray, Inspector, 7 

William Woolen, Inspector, 2 

41* 



Boston, 

Nath'l Coffin, Cashier, 

Arthur Savage, Surveyor, &c., 

Eben Bridgham, Tide Sur- 
veyor, 

Nath'l Taylor, Deputy Naval 
Officer, 

Sam'l Mather, Clerk, 

Sam'l Lloyd, Clerk, 

Christ'n Minot, Landwaiter, 

Ward Chipman, Cerk Sol. 

Rob't Beebell, Clk. Collr. 

Skinner, Cookson, and Ev- 
ans, Messengers, 

James Barick, Clerk Inspr. 

John Ciely, Tidesman, 

John Sam'l Pettet, Tidesman, 

John Selby, Clerk, 

Edw'd Mulball, Tidesman, 

Hammond Green, do 



6 
4 

6 

8 

2 
3 
6 
1 
1 
1 

3 
5 
4 
6 
2 
1 
1 



486 



EVACUATING LOYALISTS. 



No. of family. 

John Lewis, Tidesman, 6 

Elkanah Cushman, do 1 

Edw'd Dwyer, Messenger, 3 

Sam'l Chadwal, Tidesman, 1 

Chandler, Landwaiter, 1 

Patterson, do 1 

Sam'l Sparhawk, Clerk, 5 

Isaac Massingham, Coxswain, 1 

Owen Richards, do 1 

Refugees. 

Ashley, Joseph, 1 

Anaods, Barret, 1 

Atkinson, John, Merchant, 4 

Atkins, Gibbs, 1 

Ayres, Eleanor, 3 

Allen, Eben'r, 8 

Bowes, Wm., Merchant, 4 

Brinley, Thomas, do 3 

Burton, Mary, Milliner, 2 

Bowen, John, 2 

Blair, John, Baker, 1 

Bouwers, Arch'd, Acct. 1 

Bi'oderick, John, 3 

Butler, James, 2 

Brown, Thomas, Merchant, 6 

Byles, Rev. Dr. 5 

Barnard, John, 1 

Black, John, 7 

Baker, John, Jr. 1 

Badger, Rev. Moses, 1 

Beath, Mary, 4 

Butler, Gillam, 1 

Brandon, John, 1 

Brattle, Wra. - 2 

Coffin, Wm. 2 

Carneau, And'w, Lawyer, 1 

Codner, Wm. 1 

Conner, Mrs. 2 
Cummins, A. and E., Milliners, 3 

Coffin, Wm., Jr., Merchant, 4 



No. of family. 

Cutler, Eben'r, 1 

Campbell, Wm. 1 

Caner, Rev. Dr. 1 

Cook, Rob't, 1 

Chandler, John, Esq. 1 

Chandler, Rufus, Lawyer, 2 

Chandler, Nath'l, 1 

Chandler, Wm. 1 

Carver, Melzer, 1 

Cooley, John, 4 

Courtney, Thos. 11 

Carr, Mrs. 3 

Deblois, Gilbert, 5 

Dayley, John, 4 

Dunbar, Daniel, 1 

Danforth, Thos. 1 
Demaresque, Philip, Mercht. 8 

Deblois, Lewis, 3 

Duncan, Alexander, 1 

Daylay, Francis, 1 

Dickenson, Nath'l, 1 

Draper, Margaret, 5 

Dougherty, Edw'd, 2 

Deonezzau, Adam, 7 

Duelly, Wm. 3 

Emerson, John, 1 

Elton, Peter, 7 

Fisher, Willfree, 4 

Foster, Thos. 1 

Fanieul, Benj., Merchant, 3 

Fitch, Samuel, Lawyer, 7 
Foster, Edw'd, Blacksmith, 7 

Fall, Thomas, 5 

Foster, Edw'd, Jr. 5 

Forest, James, 7 

Flucker, Mrs. 6 

Gilbert, Thos. 1 

Gallop, Antill, 1 

Gray, Andrew, 1 

Gray, John, 3 

Goldsbury, Sam'l, 3 



EVACUATING LOYALISTS. 



4S7 



No. 


of family. 


No. of family. 


Gardener, Dr. Sylvester, 


8 


Lovel, John, Senr. 


5 


Gridley, Benj, 


1 


Leonard, George, 


9 


Grison, Edmund, 


2 


Lisle, Mrs. 


5 


Gay, Martin, 


3 


Lillie, Theoph. 


4 


Gilbert, Sam'l, 


1 


Lateryche, Edwd. Golslen, 


1 


Grozart, John, 


1 


Lyde, Byfield, 


5 


Gray, Mary, 


1 


Liddel, Henry, 


4 


Green, Francis, 


8 


Laughton Henry, 


5 


Greenwood, Sara'l, 


5 


Lloyd, Henry, 


10 


Grant, James, 


1 


Linkletter, Alex. 


3 


Griffen, Mrs. ■ 


3 


Lowe, Charles, 


2 


Gore, John, 


3 


Loring, Joshua, Jr. 


1 


Griffin, Edmund, 


4 


Murray, Wm. 


3 


Hill, Wm. 


17 


Moody, John, Jr. 


1 


Hallowell, Rebecca, 


4 


McKown, John, 


1 


Hall, Luke, 


1 


McAlevine, Wra. 


2 


Henderson, James, 


5 


Moody, John, 


4 


House, Joseph, 


1 


McKown, John, of Boston, 


5 


Hughes, Samuel, 


1 


McDonald, Dennis, 


1 


Hooper, Jacob, 


2 


Mackey, Mrs. 


1 


Hicks, , Printer, 


1 


Mitchelson, David, 


2 


Hurlston, Richard, 


1 


McNiel, Arch'd, 


13 


Holmes, Benj., Mulberry, 


11 


Marston, Benj. 


1 


Hatch, Hawes, 


1 


Moore, John, 


1 


Hale, Sam'l, 


1 


Miller, John, 


5 


Hester, John, 


6 


Mulcatry, Patrick, 


4 


Hutchinson, Mrs. 


7 


McKinsley, Mrs. 


12 


Horn, Henry, 


7 


Morrison, John, 


1 


Halferson, James, 


1 


McMaster, Patrick and Dan'l, 


3 


Heath, Wm. 


1 


McMulIin, Alex. 


1 


Inman, John, 


3 


Mitchell, Thos. 


1 


Ireland, John, 


2 


Mills, 


2 


Jones, Mary, 


6 


McClintoch, Nathan, 


1 


Jarvis, Rob't, 


1 


Nevin, Lazarus, and wife. 


2 


Joy, John, 


8 


O'Niel, Joseph, 


4 


Jeffries, Dr. John, 


6 


Oliver, Wm. Sandford, 


1 


Johonnot, Peter, 


1 


Oliver, Dr. Peter, 


1 


Jones, Mrs. 


4 


Powel, John, 


8 


Knovvlton, Margaret, 


4 


Phillips, Martha, 


3 


King, Edw'd and Sam'l, 


7 


Phipps, David, 


11 


Lazarus, Sam'l, 


1 


Pelham, Henry, 


1 



488 



EVACUATING LOYALISTS. 



No. 

Putnam, James, 


of family. 

7 


No. 

Saltonstall, Leverett, 


of family. 
1 


Paine, Sam'l, 


1 


Service, Rob't, 


5 


Perkins, Nath'l, 


1 


Snelling, Jona. 


6 


Patterson, Wm. 


3 


Sullivan, Bartholomew, 


2 


Phillips, Eben'r, 


1 


Smith, Edward, 


4 


Paddock, Adino, 
Pollard, Benj. 
Patten, George, 
Perkins, Wm. Lee, 


9 
1 
3 
4 


Spooner, Eben'r, 
Shepherd, Joseph, 
Selkrig, James, 
Scammel, Thomas, 


1 
2 
6 
1 


Price, Benj. 


2 


Thomson, James, 


1 


Page, George, 
Eummer, Rich'd, 


1 
3 


Taylor, Mrs. 
Terry, Zebedee, 


5 
1 


Rogers, Jerem'h Dummer, 
Rogers, Samuel, 
Richardson, Miss, 


2 
1 
1 


Tyng, AVm. 
Taylor, Wm. 
Winslow, Isaac, 


4 

2 

11 


Rose, Peter, 


1 


Winslow, Pelham. 


1 


Read, Charles, 


1 


Winslow, John, 


4 


Ramage, John, 


1 


Winslow, Mrs. Hannah, 


4 


Routh, Richard, 


6 


Winslow, Edward, 


1 


Rhoades, Henry, 
Eussel, Nath'l, 


5 
3 


Williams, Seth, 
Willis, David, 


1 
4 


Richards, Mrs, 

Ruggles, John and Rich'd, 


3 

2 


Wittington, Wm. 
Warden, Wm. 


3 

2 


Smith, Henry, 
Sullivan, George, 


6 
1 


Williams, Job, 
AVarren, Abr'm, 


1 

1 


Serjeant, John, 
Scott, Joseph, 
Simmonds, Wm. 
Stow, Edward, 


1 
3 

3 
4 


Willard, Abel, 
Warden, Joseph, 
Willard, Abijah, 
Wheaton, Obadiah, 


4 
3 
1 
3 


Sterling, Elizabeth, 
Sterling, Benj. Frederick, 
Simpson, John, 


1 
1 
5 


Wheelwright, Joseph, 
Winnet, John, Jr. 
Wright, Daniel, 


1 
1 
2 


Simpson, Jerem'h, 


2 


Welsh, Peter, 


1 


Semple, Robert, 


4 


White, Gideon, 


1 


Stayner, Abigail, 


3 


Wilson, Arch'd, 


1 


Stearns, Jonathan, 
Savage, Abraham, 


1 
1 


Welsh, James, 
Worrall, Thos. Grosby, 
Total, 926 


1 
5 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 



489 



From the Salem Gazette, Nov. 6, 1783. 

List of Persons who have Died in Exile from Massa- 
chusetts : — 
Gov. Bernard, bis lady, and son, Rev. Mr. Sargeant and daughter, 



Gov. Hutchinson, and son and 

daughter, 
Mrs. Ohver, his other daughter, 
A daughter of Mr. Thomas 

Hutchinson, Jr. 
Rev. Mr. Troutbeck, 
Mr. Bouteneau, 
Mr. Robinson, Commissioner, 
Mr. Wooten, 
Col. Royal, 
Commodore Loring, 
Mr. Nath'l Coffin, 
Mr. Joseph Green, 
Young Mr. Green, 
Mr. Willard, 
Mr. Evans, 

Mr. Thompson, of Medford, 
Mr. Wyer, of Newbury, 
Mr. Martin Howard, 
Capt. Poynton, of Salem, 



Lieut. Gov. Oliver's lady, 

Mrs. Gardiner, 

Mrs. Pepperrell,^ 

Mrs. Amory, 

Mrs. Savage, 

Mrs. Paddock, 

Mrs. JefFeries, . 

Mrs. Cordis, 

Mrs. Spry, 

Mrs. Prince, 

Mrs. Barren, 

Miss Kitty Hutchinson, 

Miss Sewall, 

Miss Fitch, 

Miss Fisher, 

Mr. Jolly Allen, 

Mr. Flucker, 

Mr. Robert Temple, 

Dr. Dabney, 

Mr. Vassal's daughter. 



NEW YORK CONFISCATION ACT. 

An Act for the Forfeiture and Sale of the Estates of Persons who have 
adhered to the Enemies of this State, and for declaring the Sover- 
eignty of the People of this State in respect to all property within 
the same. — Passed, October 22, 1799. 

Therefore be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, 
etc.. That John Murray, Earl of Dunmore, formerly Governor of the 
Colony of New York ; William Tryon, Esq., late Governor of the said 
colony ; John Watts, Oliver De Lancey, Hugh Wallace, Henry White, 
John Harris Cruger, William Axtell, and Roger Morris, Esq., late 
Members of the Council of the said colony ; George Duncan Ludlow, 
and Thomas Jones, late Justices of the Supreme Court of the said 
colony; John Tabor Kempe, late Attorney- General of the said col- 

1 Wife of Andrew Pepperrell, Esq., 1st Dec. 1780. He died in London in the 
spring of 1783. He was a brother of Sir Wm. Pepperrell, Baronet. 



490 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

ony ; William Bayard, Robert Bayard, and James De Lancey, now 
or late of the city of New York, Esqs. ; David Matthews, late Mayor 
of said city ; James Jauncey, George Folliot, Thomas White, William 
McAdam, Isaac Low, Miles Sherbrook, Alexander Wallace, and John 
Wetherhead, now or late of the said city, merchants ; Charles Inglis, 
of the said city, clerk, and Margaret his wife ; Sir John Johnson, late 
of the County of Tryon, Knight and Baronet ; Guy Johnson, Daniel 
Claus, and John Butler, now or late of the said county, Esqs. ; 
and John Joost Herkemer, now or late of the said county, yeoman ; 
Frederick Philipse and James De Lancey, now or late of the 
County of Westchester, Esqs. ; Frederick Philipse, (son of Frederick,) 
now or late of the said county, gentleman ; David Golden, Daniel 
Kissam the Elder, and Gabriel Ludlow, now or late of Queen's County, 
Esqs. ; Philip Skeene, now or late of the County of Charlotte, Esq., 
and Andrew P. Skeene, son of Philip Skeene, late of Charlotte 
County ; Benjamin Seaman and Christopher Billop, now or late of 
the County of Richmond, Esqs. ; Beverly Robinson, Beverly Robin- 
son the younger, and Malcom Morrison, now or late of the County of 
Dutchess, Esqs. ; John Kane, now or late of the said county, gen- 
tleman ; Abraham C. Cuyler, now or late of the County of Albany, 
Esq. ; Robert Leake, Edward Jessup, and Ebenezer Jessup, now or 
late of the said county, gentlemen ; and Peter Du Bois and Thomas 
H. Barclay, now or late of the County of Ulster, Esqs. ; Susannah 
Robinson, wife to the said Beverly Robinson, and Mary Morris, wife 
to the said Roger Morris ; John Rapelje, of Kings County, Esq. ; 
George Morrison, Richard Floyd, and Parker Wickham, of Suffolk 
County, Esqs. ; Henry Lloyd the Elder, late of the State of Massa- 
chusetts Bay, merchant ; and Sir Henry Clinton, Knight, be and each 
of them are hereby severally declared to be, ipso facto, convicted and 
attainted of the offence aforesaid ; and that all and singular the estate, 
both real and personal, held or claimed by them the said persons 
severally and respectively, whether in possession, reversion or re- 
mainder, within this State, on the day of the passing of this Act, shall 
be, and hereby is declared to be forfeited to, and vested in the People 
of this State. 

ACTION OF NEW JERSEY KEGARDING THE LOYALISTS, A. D. 1776. 

The Council of Safety appointed and authorized a correspondence 
with Congress and other States to perform the duties of Justices of 
Peace, to apprehend and imprison disaffected persons, and to call out 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 491 

such portions of the militia as they may deem necessary to execute 
the laws. 

Likewise on the recommendation of Governor Livingston another 
bill was presently passed authorizing the confiscation of the personal 
estates of all those who adhered to the British interest ; yet allowing 
such persons a period of grace in which upon renewing their alle- 
giance to the State, they might return and take possession of their 
property. — Lippincott's History of New Jersey, p. 177. 

New Jersey rei'rained from publishing lists of the Loyalists for 
various reasons ; so her histories are barren on this subject. 

The following Officers declined signing the Articles of 
THE Association when offered to them by the General 
Committee of Revolutionists of South Carolina: — 

Thomas K. Gordon, Chief Justice ; 

Edward Savage, 

Charles M. Cosstell, . . _ , 

_ , „ ,, , > Assistant Judges ; 

John Fewtrell, and ' ° 

William Gregory, 

Thomas Shottowe, one of the Council, and Secretary of the 
Province ; 

James Simpson, Attorney General ; 

George Roupell, Deputy Postmaster-General; 

Norris, Governor's Secretary ; 

Robert G. Howarth, Governor of Fort Johnson ; 

James Treid, Clerk of the Court of C. P. ; 

Richard Lambton, Deputy Auditor-General ; 

George Milligan, Chief Surgeon of his Majesty's Troops ; 

John Morris, Comptroller of the Customs, and 

Hon. Wm. Wragg, of the Council. 

All these assigned to the Committee their several reasons for refus- 
ing to sign ; most of them saying that their oaths of office prevented 
them. They were permitted to take their property, and retire peace- 
ably wherever they pleased, and many of them went to England. 
Others went to the West Indies, and, waiting for a change in af- 
fairs, joined the two expeditions against South Carolina under Sir 
Henry Clinton. 

If others who did sign had acted with equal honor and good faith, 
it would have been better for all parties. Some of them were known 
to have acted treacherously, in giving information from time to time 



492 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

of what the Americans were doing or about to do ; and one after- 
wards acknowledged that he had obtained a seat in the General 
Committee for the purpose of exciting doubts, distrusts, and dis- 
tractions in their plans and proceedings. Such conduct produced 
suspicion and enmity, even against the innocent, the harmless and 
the honorable, which led to banishment, hostility and sequestration 
on both sides, as each in turn acquired the ascendency and power 
to do wrong. 

When Charleston sui'rendered, after a siege of six weeks, the capi- 
tulation was not only signed by General Lincoln, the military com- 
mander, in behalf of the United States, but bythe Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, General Gadsden, in behalf of South Carolina ; the Governor 
being absent from the State. All parties appeared to believe that 
the State had capitulated as well as the city, until the British arms 
had been extended without opposition over every part of the State. 
Sir Henry Clinton had returned to New York, and Lord Cornwallis 
succeeded to the command. It was then first discovered that the 
State was not included in the capitulation, but declared to be a con- 
quered Province, and its inhabitants subject to martial law ; conse- 
quently liable to be ordered out in arms against their friends, their 
country, and political principles. Within three months after the ca- 
pitulation, the terms were violated by the British Commander. Some 
of the inhabitants of the city were sent off to St. Augustine ; and 
those of the State were ordered to parade under British officers. This 
order of Lord Cornwallis was a firebrand rekindling strife and hostil- 
ities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and the cause 
and origin of the war of plunder, devastation, and miseiy which suc- 
ceeded. This resistance was called the second rebellion. 

It is remarkable that in the rebellion of '98 in Ireland the same 
plan was adopted, and successfully executed by Lord Cornwallis, 
aided by two, at least, of those who had been his chief agents in 
South Carolina, Lord Rawdon, then Earl of Moira, and Colonel 
Wemyss, then General Wemyss. Their success in our Southern 
States was prevented by the American Congress and General 
Greene's army. 

In the fall of 1782, the British forces having retired to the pre- 
cincts of Charleston, the State Government was reestablished, and the 
Legislature convened at Jacksonborough. Here, while the war was 
still pending, and their enemy still occupying the capital of the 
State, and chief seaport, only thirty-five miles from where they were 
legislating, many of its members impoverished, and all aggrieved by 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 493 

that enemy, and the Royalists who were their associates, guides, in- 
formers, and partisans, it is not surprising that retahatory confisca- 
tions were made on the property of some such Royalists. The Act 
of Confiscation was passed at this session of the Legislature, the 
property taken, and some of it sold under their authority. No sub- 
sequent Act of this kind was ever passed, but for many yeai's there- 
after almost every Legislature restored some part of the confiscated 
property to the different former owners or their descendants, and their 
return to the country was welcomed. Many of their descendants are 
among the most respectable, influential, and valuable citizens of our 
State. Nothing is ever said or done to hurt their feelings, and the 
Act of Confiscation has been torn out of the Statute Book, to efface 
the record as far as possible — nobody knows by whom, probably by 
common consent. 

Lists of the Loyalists proscribed by the General Assembly 

OF South Carolina. 

No. 1. — Those mentioned in the Confiscation Act, Vol. 4, p. 516. 

Adam Thomas, Thomas Boone, Bruce, Fisher, Linwood & Co., 
John Bailey, John Bremar, Fenwicke Bull, Sir William Baker, Col. 
Thomas Browne, Mrs. Colleton, Colin Campbell, Doctor Crokett, 
Robert Dean, Messrs. Dee, Brailsford, Hodge & Sands, Samuel 
Douglass, Eyecott, Thomas Fullalove, Doctor Gibb, Nathaniel Hall, 
Richard Hill, John Hume, John Haramalin, Greenwood & Higginsou, 
Thomas Gibbons, Robert Holmes, Peter Roger, Handasyd Hartley, 
Lieut. -Governor Irvine, Jeremiah Knott, George Kincaird, Richard 
Lambton, Rev. Charles Lorrisade, Lord G. C. Montagu, Charles 
Maine, "Walter Mansell, John Murray, James Michie, Patrick M'Coy, 
Sir John Nisbett, Capt. Ord of the Navy, George Ogilvie, William 
Ogilvie, Osmond, Ralph Phillips, Rowland Rugely, Henry Reeves, 
Robert Raper, proprietors of Roberts' Barony, John Savage, John 
Simpson, (of Georgia,) Peter Simond, John Stuart, George Saxby, 
proprietors of Thorp's Barony, Peter Taylor, Charles Wright, Jermyn 
Wright, Robert Wells, Sir James Wright, Lieut. Wilton of the Ai-my, 
Christopher Williman. 

No. 2. — Citizens who congratulated Sir Henry Clinton on the Fall 
of Charleston. For the words of the Address, see " Moultrie^s 
Memoirs^ 

William Ancrum, Capt. B. Baker, William Burt, Thomas Buckle, 

42 



494 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 

Sen'r, David Bruce, Thomas Buckle, Jr., Archibald Brown, Robert 
Beard, Capt. James Cook, Gilbert Chalmers, William Cameron, Gid- 
eon Dupont, Jr., Richard Dennis, James Duncan, Arthur Downes, 
Thomas Eustace, Thomas Else, Christopher Fitzsimmons, John Fisher, 
John Walter Gibb, Paul Hamilton, Sen'r, Joel Holmes, Edward Hare, 
John Hartz, Alexander Harvey, Edward Legge, Jr., Aaron Loococke, 
Alexander Macbeth, William McKenny, James M'Kie, William Nis- 
bet, Hopton Price, Edmund Petrie, William Russell, Jeremiah Sav- 
age, David Saylor, William Valentine, John West, Jr., John Wagner, 
John Taylor Ward, Thomas Winstanley. 

jifo. 3. — Those who served as Volunteers in the Royal Militia. 
Charles Atkins, George Cooke, John Davis, William Greenwood, 
Wm. Glen, Sen'r, John Hopton, Alexander Inglis, Robert Johnston, 
Zeph. Kingsley, Robert Lindsay, Andrew McKenzie, Thomas She- 
poe, Robert Philip, James Rugge, John Rose, Doct. Hugh Rose, 
Andrew Reid, John Smyth, John Tunno, Jacob Valk, John Wragg, 
Richard Wayne, Alexander Wright, Robert Williams, Doct. Robert 
Wilson. 

No. 4. — Those who congratulated Earl Cornwallis. 

James Brisbane, Basil Cooper, Samuel Carne, Doctor James 
Cletheral, Dr. Alexander Garden, Patrick Hindes, Charles John- 
ston, Robert Perreneau, Alexander Rose, John Scott, son of Jona- 
than. 

No. 5. — Those who held Commissions under the Royal Government. 

Richard Ash of Beaufort, John Adamson, Capt. Anderson of 
Thickety Creek, Elias Ball of Wambaw, Elias Ball of Covington, 
Robert Ballingall, Malcolm Brown, James Bosseau, John Brocking- 
ton, Jr., Robert Blair, Jonathan Belton, Hugh Brown, Brian Cape, 
Rob't Cunningham, Patrick Cunningham, James Cassels of George- 
town, Gabriel Capers, James Carey, Wm. Cunningham, Andrew 
Cunningham of Ninety-six, Daniel Clarey of Ninety-six, Capt. Thorn 
Commander, Andrew Deveaux, Jr., Wm. Dorrill, Geo. Dawkins, John 
Downey of Camden, Robert English, John Fisher of Orangeburg, 
Thos. Fenwicke, Dr. James Frazer, Col. Thomas Fletchall, Matthew 
Floyd, John Fanning, Elias Fossin, Henry Ferguson, John George 
Fardo, Doctor Charles FyfFe, Thos. Gaillai-d, James Gordon of 
Georgetown, John Gaillard, Zach. Gibbes, Robert Gray, William 
Guest of Tyger River, Benj. Legge, Col. Robert McKenzie, Wm. 



ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 495 

Henry Mills, John Mitchell, Capt. Wm. H. McGillory, Chr. Nielie, 
Henry O'Niel, Chas. Ogilvie, Philip Porcher, Wm. Rees, Benj. Rees, 
Joseph Rhems, Henry Rugely, Samuel Rowe, Joseph Robinson, James 
Smyth, Joseph Seabrook, Jr., Wm. Stevens of Saluda, David Turner, 
Wm, Valentine of Camden, John Wigfall, Benj. Wilford, Capt James 
Dandridge, Harbrough, Ehas Buckingham, Joseph Black, John Cun- 
ningham of Ninety-six, William Else, Benj. Gregory, Geo. Gi'ierson 
of Waxsaw, John Geiger, Andrew Hiblen, James Holmes, Col. Rich- 
ard King, Moses Kirkland, John Linden, Jr., Doctor James Linah, 
Patrick Murray, John Musgrove, Richard Pendaris, Daniel Plumber, 
Patrick Murray Muckle. 

No. 6, — Those who avowed their Allegiance to his Britannic Majesty, 
and manifested themselves inveterate Enemies to the State. 
Andrew Deveaux, Senr., Edmund Ellis, David Friday, David 
Guerrard, Anthony Harrison, George Julien, John Linden, Senr., 
Robert Porter Murrell, Doctor Peter Spence, John Willard, Andrew 
Williamson, John Wilson of Georgetown, John Joachim Zubly. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 



Abbot, Stephen. Major-General the Hon. Stephen Abbot, of 
Salem, Mass., served with high reputation in the army during the 
Revolution. He entered as a Captain of scouts attached to "Washing- 
ton's head-quarters in Cambridge, and continued his command through- 
out the war. It was early discovered that the enemy, when in posses- 
sion of Newport, was 'constantly receiving cattle from Point Judith, 
and to this place Captain Abbot repaired, and obliged the inhabitants 
to send all their cattle to a distant part of Long Island, where they 
could not be taken by the enemy. On the return of peace, he estab- 
lished and commanded the Essex Regiment, and was afterwai'ds Ma- 
jor-General of the Second Division of the Massachusetts militia, which, 
under his judicious management, became an efficient body of soldiers. 

At President Washington's visit to Salem, in 1789, he greeted his 
veteran companion-in-arms most cordially, and showed his regard for 
him by selecting his daughter for his partner with which to open, with 
a minuet, the grand ball given in honor of the President in the splen- 
did Assembly Rooms, then just erected on Federal Sti-eet. This young 
lady became the mother of our much respected fellow-citizen, Stephen 
Abbot Chase, Esq., who now owns and occupies the building, long 
since converted into a dwelling. It was for many years the residence 
of the late Hon. Samuel Putnam. General Abbot died in Salem, at 
the age of sixty-four, on the 9th of August, 1813. His remains were 
attended to the tomb by several societies of which he was an honored 
member, by the civil and military officers and clergy of the com- 
munity, and a vast concourse of citizens. At St. Peter's the burial 
service was read by Rev. Mr. Henshaw, and funeral dirges, as well as 
masonic honors, were performed. The spectacle testified the very 
great esteem in which the departed was held. He was beloved for 
his public spii'it and fidelity to all his trusts, as a legislator, and in 
many of the most useful and laborious town offices. The impor- 
tant one of Overseer of the Poor he filled for twenty-two years, with 
discriminating judgment, promptitude, and decision. He was eminent 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 497 

for social virtues and benevolence, and exceedingly popular wherever 
known. 

Ashley, Jonathan. The Rev. Mr. Ashley, of Deerfield, Mass., 7 
was one of the few clergymen who favored the cause of the mother 
Government. He had married a relative of Governor Hutchinson 
and Rev. Mr. Newton, of Greenfield, over whom Mr. Ashley was 
supposed to exercise considerable influence. On one occasion these 
clergymen made an exchange, and Mr. Ashley was informed by Mr. 
Newton that he might take the occasion to treat upon the subject of 
the Revolution, by way of cautioning the people. Mr. Ashley some- 
what enlarged upon the liberty granted him, and seriously offended 
the congregation. During the intermission of service at noon, the 
friends of the patriot cause assembled, discussed the matter, and 
finally chose a committee to take measures in relation to the after- 
noon service, which they did by locking up the meeting-house. When 
Mr. Ashley came to commence the services, he was met at the door 
by one of his Deerfield parishioners, who gave him a significant nudge 
with his elbow. After repeating this form of salutation, Mr. Ashley 
asked him the reason of the attack, and admonished him that he 
" should rebuke an elder." '■'An elder f an elder," replied his tor- 
mentor ; " if you had not said you was an elder, I should have thought 
you a poison sumach." Mr. Ashley had to retire without entering the 
church. But this was not the last of the reverend gentleman's 
troubles. Returning to his own parish at Deerfield, he soon after 
preached a sermon in which he spoke against the patriot cause, and 
gave his opinion that those Americans who fell at Lexington met with 
a fearful doom in the next world. On the following Sunday he under- 
took to enter his pulpit, but found it spiked up. After ineffectual at- 
tempts to enter, he turned to one of his deacons and requested him to 
go and get his hammer and force for him an entrance. The deacon 
was a blacksmith, but infoi'med his pastor that he did not work on 
Sundays. At last an axe was procured, and the pulpit entered. Mr. 
Ashley graduated at Yale College in 1730 ; was ordained at Deerfield 
in 1738, and died there in 1780, aged 68. He possessed a strong and 
discerning mind and lively imagination, and was an energetic preacher. 
He published a sermon on " Visible Saints," vindicating Mr. Stoddard's 
sentiments respecting church membership. Also a sermon at the or- 
dination of John Norton, Deerfield, 1741, and a letter to William 
Cooper, 1745. 

Baring, Sir Francis, Bart., born April 18th, 1750, was a son of v 
John Baring, of Larkbeer, near Exeter, England, from which city the 

42 * 



498 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

former was first elected to Parliament on the 9tli Nov. 1776, an inter- 
esting account of which is contained in the third chapter of this work. 
He early distinguished himself by his accurate knowledge and dexter- 
ity in financial calculations at the eventful period in which his public 
career commenced, and the reputation thus early acquired continued 
throughout his life. He exhibited a just knowledge of the interest of 
his country, and an anxiety to extend her commerce. In negotiating 
the various loans required from time to time, his affluence and talents 
enabled him to assist the Minister, and he finally became the leading 
member of the moneyed interest ; and even the prosperity of England, 
at certain periods, may be said to have revolved around him as its 
primum mohile. He was designated by Mr. Erskine as " the first 
merchant of the world," and his services on all occasions of great na- 
tional interest, particularly as a Director of the East India Company, 
and as a Member of Parliament, were too important to escape the 
notice of Administration, and entitle his memory to grateful recollec- 
tion. The honor of baronetcy was conferred upon him on 29th May, 
1793. 

Sir Francis possessed such influence in the commercial world that 
his death, which occurred on the 12th September, 1810, occasioned a 
sensible depression in the public stocks. He married a daughter of 
William Herring, Esq., a cousin and coheiress of Dr. Herring, Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury. 

The sister of Sir Francis married the celebrated lawyer John 
Dunning, afterwards Lord Ashburton, which title became extinct at 
the decease of their only son. 

Sir Thomas Baring, born in 1772, succeeded his father in the bar- 
onetcy. Another son, Alexander Baring, late Lord Ashburton, be- 
came the head of the great commercial house, and did not retire from 
it until 1830. He was born in 1774, visited this continent in 1794, 
and travelled through the greater portion of the then United States 
on horseback, before 1797. He met the present King of France at 
the Falls of Niagara when there was but one house in Buffalo, and 
that a very indifferent one. Mr. Baring married a daughter of the 
Hon. William Bingham, one of the most opulent and public-spirited 
citizens of Philadelphia, then a Senator in Congress from Pennsylva- 
nia. The house of Baring, Brothers & Co. have with scrupulous 
fidelity attended to the interests of the United States as Government 
Agent for nearly half a century, which entitles it to our gratitude; and 
we can never too highly appreciate the services and sacrifices of Lord 
Ashburton in his embassy, which secured to Great Britain and the 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 499 

United States a treaty satisfactory to all the right-minded of both 
countries. 

Mr. Baring, having served as a member of the House of Commons 
for many years, and held with honor, for a short period, the Chancel- 
lorship of the Exchequer, was elevated to the peerage in 1835, a 
proud testimonial of his distinguished abilitiesj and a just reward for 
a life devoted to the honor and best interests of his country. 

Bernard, Sir Francis, Bart., Governor of Massachusetts, ar- J 
rived in the Province from New Jersey, as successor to Governor 
Pownall, August 2, 1760, and continued at the head of the Govern- 
ment nine years. His administration was during one of the most in- 
teresting periods in American history. He had governed New Jersey 
two years, in a manner very acceptable to that Province ; and the 
first part of his administration in Massachusetts was very agreeable to 
the General Court. Soon after his arrival, Canada was surrendered 
to Amherst. Much harmony prevailed for two or three years, but 
this prosperous and happy commencement did not continue ; there had 
long been two parties in the Province, — the advocates for the Crown, 
and the defenders of the rights of the people. Governor Bernard 
was soon classed with those who were desirous of strengthening the 
Royal authority in America ; the Sons of Liberty, therefore, stood forth 
uniformly in opposition to him. His indiscretion in appointing Mr. 
Hutchinson Chief Justice, instead of giving that office to Colonel Otis, 
of Barnstable, to whom it had been promised by Shirley, proved very 
injurious to his cause. In consequence of this appointment he lost 
the influence of Colonel Otis ; and by yielding himself to Mr. Hutch- 
inson, he drew upon him the hostility of James Otis, the sou, a man 
of great talents, who soon became the leader on the popular side. 
The laws for the regulation of trade, and the exactions of the officers 
of customs, were the first things which greatly agitated the public 
mind ; and afterwards the Stamp Act increased the energy of resist- 
ance to the schemes of tyranny. Governor Bernard possessed no 
talent for conciliating ; he was for accomplishing ministerial purposes 
by force ; and the spirit of freedom gathered strength from the open 
manner in which he attempted to crush it. His speech to the Gen- 
eral Court after the repeal of the Stamp Act was by no means calcu- 
lated to assuage the angry passions that had lately been excited. He 
was the principal means of bringing the troops to Boston, that he 
might overawe the people ; and it was owing to him that they were 
continued in the town. This measure had been proposed by him and ^ 
Mr. Hutchinson, long before it was executed. While he professed 



500 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

himself a friend to the Province, he was endeavoring to undermine its 
Constitution, and to obtain an essential alteration in the Charter, by 
transferring from the General Court to the Crown the right of electing 
the Council. His conduct, though it drew upon him the indignation 
of the Province, was so pleasing to the Ministry that he was created 
a Baronet, March 20, 1769. Sir Francis had too little command of 
his temper ; he could not conceal his resentments, nor could he re- 
strain his censures. One of his last public measures was to prorogue 
the General Court in July, in consequence of their refusing to make 
provision for the support of the troops. The General Court, how- 
ever, before they were prorogued, embraced the opportunity of draw- 
ing up a petition to his Majesty for the removal of the Governor. It 
was found necessary to recall him ; and he embarked, August 1, 1769, 
leaving Mr. Hutchinson, the Lieutenant-Governor, Commander-in- 
Chief There were few who lamented his departure : he died in Eng- 
land, June, 1779. 

If a man of greater address and wisdom had occupied the place of 
Sir Francis, it is very probable our Revolution would not have taken 
place so soon. But his arbitrary principles, and his zeal for the au- 
thority of the Crown, enkindled the spirit of the people ; while his 
representations to the Ministry excited them to those measures which 
hastened the separation of the Colonies from the mother country. 
From the letters of Governor Bernard, which were obtained and 
transmitted to this country by some secret friend, it appears he had 
very little regard to the interests of liberty. His select letters on the 
trade and government of America, written in Boston, from 1763 to 
1768, were published in London in 1774; his other letters, written 
home in confidence, were published in 1768 and 1769. 

Bloaveks, Sampson Salter, Hon., a native of Boston, and 
grandson of the Rev. Thomas B. Blowers, second minister of Bev- 
erly, Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard College, 1763, of which 
institution he was for several years the oldest living graduate. He 
was born in March, 1742, and died in 1824, over one hundred years 
of age. He studied law with Governor Hutchinson, and married the 
daughter of Benjamin Kent, a lawyer celebrated for his eccentricity 
and wit. Mr. Blowers was, with John Adams and Josiah Quincy, 
Jr., engaged to defend Capt. Preston and the British soldiers, on their 
trial at Boston, November, 1770, for what was termed " the Boston 
Massacre." On the eve of the Revolution, in 1774, he sailed for 
England, and returned in the autumn of 1778, just in time to find his 
name in the Proscribing Act of the Massachusetts Provincial Assem- 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 501 

bly. He was forthwith imprisoned, but soon liberated and sent in a 
cartel to Halifax, From this time he pursued his profession there ; 
was raised to the Supreme Bench in 1795 ; became the Chief Justice in 
1801, and resigned all his honors in 1833. Judge Blowers has never 
revisited his native place. His sister died at Boston in March, 1842, 
at the age of ninety-eight ; she was the widow of an officer of marines, 
who fell on board the Alliance frigate, in an action with two British 
sloops of war. May, 1781. 

The following notice of Judge Blowers appeared in the " Boston 
Daily Advertiser," in March last : — 

" The old man of whom ye spake; is he yet alive? " 

The Hon. Sampson Salter Blowers, of Halifax, [Harvard Univer- 
sity, 1763,] this day completes his century of years ; the elder patri- 
arch of Harvard's living alumni. He was a native of Boston, his 
father living (as we some time ago learned from an authority near in 
blood) at the time in Quaker Lane, now Congress Street : a nephew of 
Pyam B., merchant, [H. U. 1721,] and grandson of Rev. Thomas B., 
second minister of Beverly, [H. U. 1695.] Young Blowers entered 
upon the study of law with Hutchinson, then simply Judge of Pro- 
bate and Lieutenant-Governor ; and married the daughter of Benj. 
Kent, Esq.,^ [H. U. 1727,] an Attorney-at-law in Boston, "cele- 
brated for his eccentricity and wit," who, like himself, became a Refu- 
gee, and died in Halifax, at an advanced age, in 1788. In Novem- 
ber, 1770, then in his noviciate at the bar, he was employed as junior 
counsel to Messrs. Adams and Quincy (the latter his classmate) in be- 
half of the eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment, on their trial 
for what was long and most absurdly called " the Boston Massacre." 
The victims of that night, (March 5th, 1770,) though magnified by the 
effervescence of the time into martyrs of liberty, did but poor credit 
indeed to the name, and as to most of them, abundantly provoked the 

1 Kent was a minister of Marlborough a very brief period [1733-'35] ; though, so 
nnclerical was his deportment and his humor, that we might rather have wondered 
had his stay been longer. He removed to Boston ; and, so late as 1769, his name is 
found, in somewhat odd association, with those of the most prominent and strenuous 
Whigs of the place, as a Committee of Safety, in a communication to Dr. Franklin. 
To him it is, we suppose, that the Doctor, in a letter written from Philadelphia, within 
the last year and a half of his own life, refers: — " You tell me our poor friend Ben 
Kent is gone; I hope to the regions of the blessed: or at least to some place where 
souls are prepared for those regions. I found my hope on this, that, though not so 
orthodox as you and I, he was an honest man and had his virtues. If he had any 
hypocrisy, it was of that inverted kind with which a man is not so bad as he seems 
to be." — See Sparks's Franhlin, vii. 366, x. 460. 



502 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

leath they found. Gordon, with strange looseness for one who was 
vriting in the midst of the scene, says, (Vol. i. 194,) "The soldiers 
lad the same counsel as their commander." But Robert Auchmuty, 
ivho, according to Eliot, made, in defence of Capt. Preston, a plea so 
nemorable and persuasive, as " almost to bear down the tide of preju- 
dice against him, though it never swelled to a higher flood," had no 
joncern in the succeeding trial ; while the subject of this notice was 
certainly not retained in the earlier one. On the eve of the Eevolu- 
tion (1774) S. S. B., for some reason or object, sailed for England, 
and returned in the fall of 1778, just in time to find his name in the 
Proscribing Act of the Provincial Assembly of Massachusetts, (Octo- 
ber,) which could not then have been passed many weeks. He was 
imprisoned forthwith ; but within the next fortnight was despatched in 
a cartel to Halifax. From this time, as we are told, he steadfastly 
pursued his profession there ; being raised to the Supreme Bench in 
1795, becoming its presiding head in 1801, and resigning all his hon- 
ors in 1833. 

Though his lot was cast with the obnoxious side, Judge B. stood by 
no means alone among his companions. The class of 1763 was fruit- 
ful in Loyalists, generally, also, Refugees : — Bliss, of Springfield, and 
Upham, of Brookfield, (the last, father of the present minister of Sa- 
lem,) were constituted a few years after Judges of the highest court 
of New Brunswick ; ^ Dr. John Jeffries, of Boston, (after signalizing 
himself in a then novel sphere,) returned a few years in the rear of 
the peace, to resume practice in his native town ; Hooper, of Marble- 
head, second son of " old King Robert," and Porter, for a time an emi- 
nent attorney in Salem, both died in England. 

Judge B. has left behind him in the race the longest-lived of his 
classmates by more than ten years. Col. Pickering, of Salem, one 
of the three latest survivors, died Jan. 29, 1829. The last of the trio, 
Samuel Perley, settled successively at three several places in New 
Hampshire, and finally in Gray, Maine; finished his course at the lat- 

1 No other class, perhaps, can show so many instances of the highest judicial eleva- 
tion. Three Refugee Judges of the Supreme Court ! to which must be added the 
Hon. Nathan Gushing, of Scituate, — a zealous Whig, — who deeply ingratiated him- 
self with the popular partj' by the spirit of his decisions as First Judge of Admiralty, 
in 1776, against captured British vessels; and who, at a later period, [1789-1801, J was 
one of the highest bench of Massachusetts. There is yet one other distiuction to 
which the class of 1763 appropriates. Hhe. first English Oration ever heard upon the 
Commencement boards was pronounced by Jed. Huntington, of Norwich, Conn., (af- 
terwards well known as a general officer in our Eevolutionary contest, and father of 
the late Rev. Josh. Huntington, of the Old South Church.) 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 503 

ter place, November 28, 1831. Of the departed sons of Harvard, 
Judge Blowers (with the exception of three others, Holyoke, Green, 
and Farrar,) has alone fairly rounded his century.^ 

BoYLSTON, Ward Nicholas, Esq., the son of Benjamin and Mary 
Hallovvell, (his mother being the sister of Nicholas Boylston,) was 
born at Boston in 1749 ; by the desire of his maternal uncle, his 
name was changed in 1770. In 1773 he embarked for Newfound- 
land ; from thence he sailed to Italy ; travelled through Turkey, 
Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, and along the Bai'bary coast ; and re- 
turned through France and Flanders to England, in 1775. He entered 
into business as a merchant, and remained in London till 1800, when 
he retui'ned to Boston, and continued to reside in Massachusetts till his 
death, which occurred in January, 1828, at the age of seventy-eight. 

He possessed a mind emulative of the spirit of his maternal ances- 
try, which he acknowledged in a letter dated May 20, 1800, when he 
founded at Cambridge the " Boylston Medical Library." In this he 
expressed the pride he felt in being nearly allied to his maternal great- 
uncle, Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, " who first introduced the inoculation for 

1 In such a connection as this, and for the sake of the narrow circle who are curious 
in such matters, it may not be amiss to specify the twelve akimni who have reached 
the highest point of longevity. Those unasterized, it will be observed, we presume 
not to number their days, but give their age at the moment we are writing. 

* 1746. Dr. E. A. Holyoke, of Salem, died March 31, 1829, 100 years 7 mouths. 
1763. Hon. S. S. Blowers, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 100 years 7 months. 

* 1745. Rev. N. Porter, minister of Chebacco parish, (Ipswich,) and of Ashfield, 
died February 29, 1820, 99 years 11 months. 

* 1759. Hon. Paine Wingate, minister a few years at Hampton Falls, N. H., and 
afterwards in higli civil trusts, died at Stratham, N. H., March 7, 1838, 98 years and 
10 months. 

* 1744. Col. Peter Frye, formerly of Salem, and in various public trusts, died (as 
a Eefugee) at Cambervvell, Surrey, near London, February 1, 1820, (his birthday) 97 
years. 

* 1712. Mr. John Nutting, Salem, successively grammar schoolmaster, Register 
of Deeds, and Collector of the port at different times, died May 20, 1790, 96 years 4 
months. 

* 1753. Rev. Peter Thacher Smith, minister of "Windham, Me., (1762-90,) d. as 
P. T. S., " Esq.," October, 1826, 95 years 3 months. 

1765. Dr. Ezra Green, surgeon in the Continental Navy, under John Paul Jones, 
and since physician in Dover, N. H., 95 years 10 months. 

* 1728. Thaddeus Mason, Esq., Register of Deeds for Middlesex, died at Cam- 
bridge, May 1, 1802, 95 years 4 months. 

1767. Hon. Timothy Farrar, New Ipswich, N. H., formerly a Judge of the Supreme 
Judicial Court of New Hampshire, 94 years 8 months. 

* 1741. Mr. Joseph Waldo, mei'chant in Boston, died (as a Refugee) in Bristol, 
England, April, 1816, 94 years. 

* 1710. Rev. Joseph Adams, minister of Newington, N. H., 37 years 6 months, 
died May 26, 1783, 94 years. 



/ 



504 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

the small-pox into America, from whence it was carried to England, 
and has ever since been extending its beneficial influence through the 
world ; " and also to his uncle, Nicholas Boylston, " whose memory is 
known and honored for his liberal donations to Harvard University." 
In 1840, Mr. Boylston's fund for a college and anatomical museum 
amounted to nine thousand dollars ; which was in addition to the 
medical library of eleven hundred volumes, and the fund for prize 
dissertations established by him in 1800. 

Brattle, Major Thomas, has been unjustly ranked with the 
Loyalists of 1775. Letters addressed by him to the Hon. Oliver 
Wendell, from London, New York, and Newport, in 1779 and '80 fully 
show that his heart was with the people. They breathe an ardent love 
of country, and prove that his going to England at the breaking out 
of the Revolution was not prompted by an aversion to the popular 
measures of that period. He was graduated at Harvard College in 
1760. He was an Absentee, and proscribed in the Act of 1778. Long 
after his return from England he remained at Newport, R. I., his fate 
being in suspense. He finally recovered his house and grounds at 
Cambridge, where he died, February 7, 1801, at the age of 59. 

Brattle, Gen. Wm., son of the minister of Cambridge of the 
same name was graduated at Harvard College in 1722, was a man of 
fine talents and excellent character. He was a Representative to the 
General Court from Cambridge, and for a long period a member of 
the Council. He first studied theology ; afterwards law, in which 
profession he secured large practice and rose to eminence. He be- 
came a Major- General of the militia, and secured the favor of the 
Governor of the Colony, at the same time ingratiated himself with 
the people. At the commencement of the struggle for independence 
he did not sympathize with the popular views of that day, but was 
induced to retire into Boston and to go with the troops to Halifax, 
where he died in October, 1776, aged about seventy-five. He first mar- 
ried a daughter of Gov. Saltonstall ; afterwai'ds, the widow of James 
Allen, daughter of Col. Fitch. — Mass. Hist. Collection, vii. 58, and 
viii. 82. 

Browne, Hon. William, Governor of Bermuda, son of Samuel 
Browne, Esq., of Salem, and a grandson of Gov. Burnet, graduated 
at Harvard College in 1755. He was Colonel of the Essex Regiment, 
and succeeded Judge Ropes on the bench of the Supreme Coui't, in 
1774, for a short time. The Provincial Assembly urging their title to 
nominate to judicial and civil trusts, he was requested to resign that 
oflBce, held under the royal seal, as also the honor of Mandamus 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 505 

Councillor, to which he had been called by a county committee, which 
he contrived to evade. He was one of the seventeen ^^Rescinders " in 
1768. In the several capacities of representative, colonel, councillor, 
and judge, he rendered himself obnoxious by adhering to Govern- 
ment ; which was thus incidentally noticed in a newspaper, when 
he found it expedient to take refuge in Boston in the autumn of 
1774:-^ 

" Agreeable to the advice of the respectable Provincial Congress, 
the training band company of Lynn, being part of the First Regiment 
in the county of Essex, formerly commanded by William Browne, Esq., 
{politically deceased of a pestilent and mortal disorder, and now buried 
in the ignominious ruins of Boston,) met on Monday, the 15th iust., 
for the purpose of choosing," etc. etc. 

Col. Browne was esteemed among the most opulent and benevolent 
individuals of that Province pi'ior to the Revolution ; and so great 
was his popularity that the gubernational chair was offered him by the 
" Committee of Safety " as an inducement for him to remain and join the 
"Sons of Liberty." But lie felt it a duty to adhere to Government, 
even at the expense of his great landed estate, both in Massachusetts 
and Connecticut, the latter compi-ising fourteen valuable farms, all 
which were afterwards confiscated. He went to England via Halifax, 
in April, 1776, and was Governor of Bermuda from 1781 to 1790, 
when he returned to England, where he died in Percy-street, West- 
minster, Feb. 13, 1802, aged sixty-five. Col. Browne married his cousin, 
a daughter of Gov. Wanton, of Rhode Island, and was doubly connected 
with the Winthrop family ; the wives of the elder Browne and Gov. 
Wanton being daughters of John Winthrop, F. R. S., great-grandson 
of the first Governor of Massachusetts, who graduated at Harvax'd 
College in 1700. Col. Browne's son William was an officer in the 
British service at the siege of Gibraltar in 1784. / 

Brovtne, Hon. William. His ancestor, who bore the same name 
and title, was amongst the first settlers of Salem,, and one of its most 
benevolent and beloved citizens. Wealth and influence flowed throuffh 
five generations of the family. 

The one of whom we are now to speak was graduated at Harvard 
College in 1755, and was one of the most prominent inhabitants of 
Massachusetts. Previous to the Revolutionary troubles he enjoyed 
great popularity, but by espousing the cause of the mother country 
he foi-feited all claim to the favorable consideration of the people. 
He was one of the "seventeen Rescinders" in 1786, signed the Ad- 
dress to Governor Hutchinson in 1774, and was a Mandamus Coua- 

43 



506 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

cillor. He became a Refugee ; was included in the Banishment 
Act of 1778, and the Conspiracy Act of 1779. 

His landed estates, which were numerous, were all confiscated to the 
use of Government, and his homestead became the property of the 
late Elias Hasket Derby, Esq., and there he erected his princely 
mansion which was taken down in 1815. On its site now stands the 
Salem City Market. 

Col. Browne had been a Judge of the Superior Court and com- 
manded the Essex Regiment; the latter office he was compelled to 
resign in consequence of his officers refusing to serve under him 
while he held a seat at the council board. After leaving the coun- 
try he was appointed Governor of Bermuda, and died in England in 

1802. Aged sixty-eight. 

BuRGOYNE, Genp:ral. It is curious that a man of such celebrity 
as a writer, a senator, and an officer, as the late Lieutenant-General 
John Burgoyne, should be found among the number of those of whose 
youthful days no memorial has been preserved. Neither the time, 
place, nor circumstances of his bii'th are known. Even his parentage 
is doubtful. He is said, but upon what authority it does not appear, 
to have been a natural son of that Lord Bingley who died at an ad- 
vanced age in 1774. That he had the advantage of a liberal educa- 
tion and early intercourse with polished society, is sufficiently evident 
from his writings ; and it is probable that he was early devoted to the 
profession of arms, for on the 10th of May, 1759, he was raised to the 
rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and in the August of the ensuing year he was 
appointed Lieut.-Colonel Commandant of the 16th Light Dragoons. 
His after/ services at different periods, in Spain, Portugal, and America, 
are all well known, especially the unfortunate termination of his mili- 
tary career at Saratoga, which, though it tarnished not his honor, cast 
a shade over his brow, ever afterwards conspicuous to the physiognom- 
ical eye. He arrived in England on parole in May, 1778, and pub- 
lished a letter to his constituents, throwing the blame of the failure of 
the expedition on Lord Sackville, (George Germaine,) the Secretary 
of the American Department ; and a reply to it, doubtless written by 
Lord Sackville, exhibits some of the peculiarities of the style of Junius. 
He made on certain occasions no ordinary figure in Parliament, and 
towards the close of the year 1781, when a majority of Parliament 
seemed resolved to persist in the war, he joined the opposition, and 
advocated a motion for the discontinuance of the fruitless contest. He 
knew that it was impossible to conquer America. " Passion, prejudice, 
and interest," said he, " may operate suddenly and partially ; but 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 507 

when we see one principle pervading the whole continent, the Amer- 
icans resolutely encountering difficulty and death for a coui'se of years, 
it must be a strong vanity and presumption in our own minds, which 
can only lead us to imagine that they are not in the right." He moved 
in the first circles, and married Lady Charlotte Stanley, a daughter 
of the Earl of Derby ; and yet we know not who and what originally 
he was. He was the author of four successful dramas : " The Maid 
of the Oaks," " The Lord of the Manor," " Richard Coeur de Lion," 
and the comedy of " The Heiress ; " and yet the curiosity of his 
biographer, even in this anecdote-dealing and memoir-sifting age, 
cannot trace his origin, or the scenes of his education. The fable 
of the Lord of the Manor seems in some degree to have been sug- 
gested (though sufficiently disguised in the modification of character 
and circumstances) by the incident of his own matrimonial connection; 
for his was a clandestine and unauthorized marriage, at a time when 
he held only a subaltern's commission in the army, and is said to have 
excited at first the resentment of the lady's father to such a degree 
that he declai'ed his resolution never to admit the oflfenders into his 
presence, though in process of time the anger of the Earl subsided, a 
reconciliation was effected, and was succeeded by a warm and lasting 
attachment. It is probable, also, that the memory of his lady, who 
died in the year 1776, at Kensington Palace, during his absence in 
America, is embalmed by the affectionate regrets of the General in 
that beautiful air in the first act of that opera : 

" Encompassed in an angel's frame, 
An angel's virtues lay; 
Too soon did Heaven assert the claim, 
And call its own away. 

My Anna's worth, my Anna's charms, 

Must never more return ! 
What now shall fill these widow'd arms? 

Ah, me ! my Anna's urn ! " 

It is some confirmation of this conjecture that General Burgoyne 
contracted no second marriage. Taste and sentiment, rather than 
vigor and originality, and familiarity with local manners and the 
superficies of character, leather than the comprehensive views of the 
sources of human action and penetration into the deepest recesses of 
the human heart, characterize the genius of this writer ; and his satire, 
though well pointed, will accordingly lose its interest when the mem- 
ory of the fleeting follies and temporary politics at which it is levelled 
shall have died away. Of his dramatic works, incomparably the most 



508 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

valuable is the comedy of " The Heiress," which may, indeed, be 
called the last comedy produced on the English stage. 
^ From the peace till his death, which took place in August, 1792, he 
lived as a private gentleman, devoted to pleasure and the Muses. The 
following letter, addressed by him to Garrick, is characteristic : — 

TO DAVID GARRICK, ESQ 

,. „ Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1774. 

My dear Sir : ^' > 

Your obliging and most friendly letter was delivered to me yester- 
day, at the moment I was sitting down to dinner with company, or I 
should have endeavored on the moment to return my acknowledg- 
ments with a warmth of expression due to that with which you hav^e 
honored me. In regard to the very signal distinction you propose to 
me of the freedom of the house, and the manner of presenting it, I 
hope you will permit me to decline the parade, and at the same° time 
believe me truly sensible of the honor of it. I should feel myself as 
proud to be seated in Drury Lane, by your deliberate judgment of my 
talents, as ever an old Roman did in acquiring the freedom of his 
theatre by public services j but you are at present too partial towards 
me ; and, till I appear in my own eyes more worthy, I must request 
you to bound your kind intentions to an order for admittance occasion- 
ally to your green-room, where I promise neither to criticize your men 
ill-naturedly, nor lead astray yourself. The having contributed the 
songs and music, and other reasons alleged for my introduction to your 
rehearsals, will, I conclude, equally pass with the company for this 
additional favor, without the necessity of any farther discovery. But 
as you kindly insist upon my directions, I desire it to be done by a 
simple order to Johnson, and no gold-box, nor silver-box, — not even 
a mulberry one : you must give me a reception Hamlet-like, — I will 
have no ajjpurtenances of welcome. I think I may, without vanity, con- 
gratulate you upon the piece having laid hold of the audience last 
night. A general relish was very discernible. I could not help 
agreeing with a critic who sat near me, and who expressed himself 
delighted with the genteel scenes, that the introduction of the larap- 
lighter^ was too coarse to assort with the rest. Suppose three or four 
of your girls were introduced in the act of weaving cords of flowers, 
such as the dancers use in the second act. They might fix one end 
of the cord to the scene, and keep slipping back as they weave the 
flowers, in the manner the ropemakers do, which would be pictur- 
esque. In that case, O'Daub's part might begin with his conversation 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 509 

with the architect ; and he might present himself to the girls in some 
nonsense like the following : " O'Daub. — If these pretty maids would 
pay me with a kiss a-piece, 'faith, I 'd paint them all round for nothing 
at all. Surely they look as bright as a May morning already, and a 
touch of my brush will make them remembered by those who never 
saw 'em." If after this the two additional verses of the song were 
added, the words would apply, and Moody's action might have effect. 
Should you approve this idea, or any one like it, the alteration is so 
short it might be studied and acted in half an hour ; but I submit it to 
you on the sudden, like many crudities with which I have troubled 
you. Lord Stanley is come to town, and very earnest to see " The 
Maid of the Oaks." I send to Johnson's for a box for Lady Betty 
to-morrow, that she may do him the honors, and I hope I shall suc- 
ceed. If you could send me the copy this afternoon, I would return 
it in time for you to put it into the printer's hands to-morrow after- 
noon. Beheve me with the truest sense of the value of your friend- 
ship, dear sir, your faithful and obedient, etc. etc. 

J. BURGOTNE. 

Cabot, Andrew, was born at Salem, December 15, 1750 ; married 
Lydia, daughter of George Dodge, Esq., and resided in Beverly. 
He early engaged in commerce with his brothers, George and John. 
He afterwards purchased the Lechmere P'arm in Cambridge, and re- 
moved there. He was the first earnest projector of a bridge in that 
neighborhood, which resulted in the building of the Charles River 
Bridge. He was an eminent merchant and much esteemed for his 
social qualities. He died in Beverly, after a short illness, in May, 
1791, aged forty-one. 

Cabot, John, was born in Salem, January 13, 1745 ; married 
Hannah, daughter of George Dodge, Esq., and for a long time resided 
in Beverly, engaged in commercial pursuits ; he afterwards removed 
to Salem, but died in Boston 28th August, 1821. 

The ancestor of the Cabot family early emigrated to Salem from 
the island of Jersey. 

Cabot, George, of Salem, Mass., born in 1752, was for some 
years a master mariner, which the better qualified him for commercial 
operations, in which he embarked with success. He was a member 
of the Provincial Congress in Concord in 1777, at the age of twenty- 
five, and a member of the State Convention in 1788, for considering 
the Constitution of the United States. Soon after he was chosen a 
Senator in Congress, and fully cooperated in the financial views of 

43* 



^/ 



510 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Hamilton. He was master of the science of political economy, which, 
together with his very general and accurate commercial knowledge, 
rendered his services invaluable in framing our commercial and rev- {| 
enue laws. 

On the 3d of May, 1798, he was offered the Secretaryship of the 
Navy on its first establishment, but declined the office in favor of Mr. 
Benjamin Stoddard, whose great skill in shipbuilding was thought to be I 
an advantage, and who was appointed. The Navy under his manage- i 
ment was created and has generally been a popular arm of war, as | 
well as a protector of our constantly increasing commercial marine. 
He was President of the Hartford Convention in 1814. In private ' 
life Mr. Cabot was highly esteemed for benevolence and many virtues. | 
He was a orofessor of religion, and a member of the church of which | 
Rev. Dr. Kirkland was pastor, and who, after the decease of Mr. 
Cabot, married his daughter. He died at Boston, where he had re- 
sided many years, April 18, 1823, aged seventy-one. \ 

Carleton, Sir Gut, (afterwards Loid Dorchester,) a distinguished 
British General in America, was appointed a Brigadier in that countiy 
in 1766 ; he was raised to a Major-Generalship in 1772. At the 
close of the year 1774, a commission passed the seals constituting 
him Captain-General and Governor of Quebec. 

When Canada was invaded by Montgomery in 1775, Carleton was 
in the most imminent danger of being taken prisoner upon the St. 
Lawrence after the capture of Montreal ; but he escaped in a boat 
with muffled paddles, and arrived safely at Quebec, which he found 
threatened by an unexpected enemy. Arnold, although he had been 
repulsed by Col. McLean, was yet in the neighborhood of the city, 
waiting for the arrival of Montgomery, previously to another attack. 
General Carleton, with the skill of an experienced officer, took the 
necessary measures for the security of the city ; his first act was to 
oblige all to leave Quebec who would not take up arms in its defence. 
When Montgomery approached, his summons was treated with con- 
tempt by the Governor, whose intrepidity was not to be shaken ; by 
his industry and bravery Carleton saved the city. After the unsuc- 
cessful assault of the last of December, in which Montgomery was 
killed, he had nothing more immediately to apprehend. In May, 
1776, he obliged the Americans to raise the siege ; and it was not long 
before he compelled them to withdraw entirely from Canada. In 
October he recaptured Crown Point ; but, as the winter was advanc- 
ing, he did not attempt the reduction of Ticonderoga, but returned to 
St. John. In the beginning of the next year he was superseded in 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 511 

his command by Burgoyne, who was intrusted with the Northern 
British Army. Carleton's experience, abihties and services were 
such as rendered him wortliy of the command, which was given to 
another. Though he immediately asked leave to resign his govern- 
ment, he yet contributed all in his power to secure the success of the 
campaign. In tlie year 1782 he was appointed, as successor of Sir 
Henry Clinton, Commander-in-Chief of all the British forces in Amer- 
ica. He arrived at New York with his commission in the beginning 
of May. After the treaty was signed, he delayed for some time the 
evacuation of the city, from regai'd to the safety of the Loyalists, but 
on November 25, 1780, he embarked and withdrew the British ships 
from the shores of Amex'ica. He was subsequently Governor- General 
of Canada, and took with him the best portrait of Washington ever 
executed. It was the work of Mr. Pyne, an unsuccessful competitor 
of Sir Joshua Reynolds, whom Gen. Carleton employed in Philadel- 
phia to paint the object of his highest admiration. By some unac- 
countable neglect it was left in Canada, when Lord Dorchester was 
appoin'ed Governoi'- General of India, which command he was never 
destined to enjoy, having died in England, at the close of the year 
1808, at the age of eighty-three. This excellent likeness and work 
of art was purchased in Canada by the late Henry Brevoort, Esq., of 
New York, and long graced his fine gallery there. 

Gen. Carleton was a brave and able officer, and rendered important 
services to his country. Though he was not conciliating in his man- 
ners and possessed the severity of a soldier, yet his humanity to the 
American prisoners whom he took in Canada, has been much praised. 

Chandler, Nathaniel, son of Col. John and Mary (Church) y 
Chandler, was born November 6, 1750, graduated at Harvard College 
in 1768, was a law student of James Putnam of Worcester, called to 
the bar in 1771, and commenced business in Petersham where he con- 
tinued until the courts were closed. 

He became a Refugee Loyalist, and for some time commanded a 
corps of Volunteers in the British service. From New York he went 
to England. Returning in 1784, he engaged in business at Petersham, 
Avhich illness compelled him to relinquish. He removed to Worces- 
ter, where he died a bachelor, March 7, 1801. Mr. Chandler w^as 
early a pupil of the elder l*resident Adams, who used to speak of him 
as a scholar possessing fine abilities. Had he been assiduous in his 
profession, he might have risen to eminence. His personal appear- 
ance was pleasing and he had a fine address. His great flow of spirits 
and fertile imagination rendered him a great favorite in the social 
circle. 



512 BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Clinton, Governor George, the youngest son of Col. Charles 
Clinton, was born in Ulster County, New York, and died in Washington, 
in 1812, aged seventy-two. Having studied law with William Smith, 
afterwards Chief Justice of New York, he rose to distinction at the bar, 
and was a zealous Whig in the Colonial Assembly in 1775. On the 
fifteenth of May in that year, he took his seat as a member of Con- 
gress, and voted for the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776; 
but being called away by his appointment of Brigadier-General, before 
the instrument was ready for signature, his name was not attached to 
it. He was the first Governor elected under the new Constitution, 
and was rechosen for eighteen successive years, when he was suc- 
ceeded by the illustrious patriot John Jay. Upon the advance of the 
enemy up the Hudson in Oct. 1777, he prorogued the Assembly, and 
took command of Fort Montgomery, where he and his brother James 
made a gallant defence on the fifth of that month. They escaped 
under cover of the night. The next day forts Independence and 
Constitution were evacuated. On the restoration of peace the States 
generally permitted a return of the proscribed Loyalists. Those from 
New York petitioned the Assembly for that boon, but the Governor 
in his opening speech threw his influence against the measure and it 
was rejected. He presided in the Convention at Poughkeepsie in 
June, 1788, for deliberating on the Constitution, and opposed the 
ratification on the ground that State rights were not sufficiently 
guarded by it. After five years in private life he was again elected 
Governor in 1801, but in 1804, being elected Vice-President of the 
United States, he continued in that station until his death. Thi'ough 
life he exhibited great energy and decision of character, and the 
democratic element always prevailed in the measures under his 
control. 

Clinton, Sir Henry, an English General, son of the Colonial 
Governor Clinton, was the grandson of the Earl of Lincoln. After 
distinguishing himself in the battle of Bunker Hill, in 1775, he was 
sent unsuccessfully against New York and Charleston. He after- 
wards, in September, 1776, occupied the city of New York. Octo- 
ber 6, 1777, he assaulted and took foi-ts Clinton and Montgomery. In 
1778, he succeeded Howe in the command at Philadelphia, whence 
Washington compelled him to retire. In May, 1780, he took Charles- 
ton. It was he who negotiated with Arnold in his treason. He re- 
turned to England in 1782, and died Dec. 22, 1795 ; a few months 
before, he had been appointed Governor of Gibraltar. He published 
a narrative of his conduct in America, 1782. — Observations on Corn- 
wallis's Answer^ 1783 ; Observations on Stedman, 1784. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 513 

Coffin, Nathaniel, Esq., of Boston, the father of Sir Isaac / 
CoiRn, Bart., who was his fourth and youngest son. Mr. Coffin grad- 
uated at Harvard College in 1744 ; was Cashier of the Customs at 
Boston; an '^Addresser" of Gov. Gage; a Refugee in 1775; was 
proscribed in the Banishment Act of 1778, and died in England befoi'e 
November, 1783. He was the son of Nathaniel and Patience (Hale) 
Coffin, and born April 20, 1744. — See History of Portland. * 

Coffin, Thomas Aston, Esq., son of William Coffin, of Boston, / 

and cousin of Sir Isaac Coffin, remained in Boston after the siege, 
and was proscribed in 1778. He was private Secretary to Gen. 
Carleton, and in 1784 was appointed Commissary-General to the 
British ti-oops at Quebec. He died in London, May 3, 1810, aged 
fifty-six. Mr. Coffin graduated at Harvard College in 1772. 

Conway, General Thomas, was born in Ireland, came to Amer- v 
ica from France in 1777, was a Major-General in the Army of the 
American Revolution, and at the recommendation of Silas Deane, aided 
the formation and discipline of the army. He had a considerable 
reputation in France as an officer, where he had been educated to the 
profession of arms, and, expecting from Congress the commission of 
Major-General, was disappointed by being made in May, 1777, only a 
Brigadier. During the arduous winter of that year, when Washington 
had his camp at Valley Forge, Gen. Conway was one of the most ac- 
tive of his secret enemies, endeavoring to procure the elevation of Gen. 
Gates to the supreme command. He had been in November appointed 
by Congress Inspector-General, with the rank of Major-General, not- 
withstanding Washington had written a letter to a member of that 
body remonstrating against his promotion ; a fact which proyes that 
a strong influence unfriendly to Washington at that time existed in 
the Continental Congress. So prominent was he in his effijrts made 
to foster discontent in the public mind by writing anonymous and 
forged letters, and by spreading insinuations against the Commander-in- 
Chief and strictures on his conduct, that the whole conspiracy became 
known as " Conway's Cabal." His character, early discovered by 
Washington, was at length understood by Congress. His pretentious 
and offiinsive language made him unpopular in the army, and early in 
1778 he sent to the President of the Congress the resignation of his 
commission, which to his surprise was immediately accepted by that 
body. He had many difficulties with American officers ; was chal- 
lenged, July 4, 1778, by Gen. Cadwallader, and received a ball in the 
head. Supposing the wound fatal, he wrote the following letter of 
apology to Washington : — 



514 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Sir : — I find myself just able to hold the pen during a few minutes, 
and take this opportunity of expressing my sincere grief for having 
done, written or said anything disagreeable to your Excellency. My 
career will soon be over, therefore justice and truth prompt me to 
declare my last sentiments. You are in my eyes the great and good 
man. May you long enjoy the love, veneration and esteem of these 
States, whose liberties you have asserted by your virtues. 

I am with great respect, etc., 

Thomas Conway. 

Contrary to all expectation, he recovered from his wound ; but 
finding himself without rank in the army, covered with public oppro- 
brium, and his very name become a byword, he abandoned a country 
in which he had dishonored himself, and embarked for France in the 
course of the year. He died in France, but the date of his decease is 
unknown. — American Cyclopedice. Irving' s Life of Washington. 

Cooper, Mtles, D. D., President of King's, now Columbia, Col- 
lege, New York, was born in 1734, and educated at the University of 
Oxford, where he graduated as Master of Arts in 1760. Arriving in 
New York, and recommended by the Archbishop of Canterbury as 
well qualified to assist in a college, he was received by President John- 
son in the most affectionate manner, and appointed Professor of Moral 
Philosophy. After the resignation of Dr. Johnson, he was chosen to 
the Presidency in February, 1763. Soon after. Dr. Clossey, a graduate 
of Trinity College, Dublin, where he had also taken the degree of Doc- 
tor of Physic, was appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy. 

A grammar-school was also established and connected with the 
College, under the charge of Mr. Cushing, from Boston. The classes 
were now taught by Dr. Cooper, Dr. Clossey, and Mr. Harper, with 
great advantage. 

In 1775 Dr. Cooper was a stanch Loyalist, and on being discovered 
as a public writer on the side of the Crown, a large mob assailed him 
in the night at the College, with threats against him, but Alexander 
Hamilton kept them at bay by his unsurpassed eloquence, while Dr. 
Cooper escaped to a friend's in the upper part of the city, from whence 
he was put on board a vessel bound to England. This was in the 
month of May, 1775. 

On the 10th of t!ie same month, prior to his departure. Dr. Cooper 
wrote to his friend and fellow-sufferer, Isaac Wilkins, Esq., who had 
preceded him to London, as follows : " All things yet in statu quo. 
On Sunday I went to Morrisania to visit Mi*s. Wilkins ; she was as 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 515 

well as could be reasonably expected, after parting with you, and re- 
turned that evening to Castle Hill, where I hope she will enjoy your 
return in safety. I had not time, you know, to write by you, save to 
Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Vardill, but they will sufficiently introduce 
you to all whom you would wish to see for the present. If I think of 
anything I can do for you, I will write, by Mr. Cooke, for Bristol next 
week, and I will let no opportunity escape that I hear of, without giv- 
ing you a line, whilst I continue in this country of confusion, which 
for the sake of the College I am minded to do as long as I can with 
any degree of prudence. Should this Congress be as hot as the last, 
we are undone ; should cooler measures be adopted, we may yet be 
preserved ; for Britain, though stout, is exorable." 

From Oxford, Feb. 4, 1777, where he had resided for three months, 
he thus writes to the same friend, then at Long Island : " Mr. Wether- 
head wrote me about Mr. Seabury's pay ; I have applied to the 
Bishop of London to interfere with the Admiralty, and hope all will 
be settled to his satisfaction. I wish much to hear from him ; in the 
mean time, my best respects to him, Wetherhead, Samuel Bayard, etc. 
I will write to as many as I can by this packet, but, like an improvi- 
dent man, I have deferred the business to the last, and now am called 
upon by the Provost to attend some affairs of the College, which are 
agitating before the House of Commons ; so that it is out of my power 
to say whether or not I shall be able to write another line. Dr. Clos- 
sey shall hear from me presently." 

From Edinburgh, 26th Feb. 1779, he wrote to the same friend at 
Long Island, as follows: "I received your obliging letter of 2d Octo- 
ber, in London ; I had not been there for a year before, and was only 
there then for a few days, having gone from this remote region into 
the South to take possession of a very small living presented me by 
the present Chancellor, from which business I returned as quickly as 
possible to this city, which has been my residence for fourteen months 
past, and where I am too agreeably situated to think of moving unless 
for the better ; or unless I should be obliged to reside on the little 
living aforesaid ; or unless, which would be best of all, a happy ter- 
mination of American disputes should enable me to resume my old 
situation ; and till such an event takes place, I do not expect to be 
completely satisfied. 

" You gave me spirits by representing matters in your quarter in 
a better light than I had viewed them. Indeed, Drs. Inglis and Sea- 
bury had been uniform in their information, so much of it as came to 
my knowledge, of the same purport ; but the corroborative evidence 



516 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

even of a layman to two priests still had its effect. I wish to Heaven 
you may not be wrong in your opinions. My most affectionate re- 
gards to Mr. Cutting, Mr. Colden, the Ludlows, Dr. Ogden, etc., whom 
I suppose you frequently see." 

To the same friend, care of Rev. Dr. Inglis, at New York, he wrote 
from Edinburgh, May 30, 1783, as follows: "0, my dear friend! I 
shed tears most copiously when I first opened your letter, and upon 
the perusal of it noio in order to answer it, I am more affected than 
before. Heavens ! what confusion must you all be witnesses of in 
your unhappy situation. And yet I cannot help forming some hopes, 
that, now the contest is ended the governing powers will relax their 
severity, and endeavor to bring over to them the minds of those whose 
persons and properties they have possession of. I long for accounts 
from New York that I can depend upon ; for I have not received a 
line from any of my correspondents there since their independency ; a 
circumstance that must occasion such changes in the American system 
as cannot be conceived, I trust, by the wisest at this distance. 

" 'T is true I have taken a living ; it is in Berkshire, half-way be- 
tween London and Bath, and twenty-six miles from Oxford ; a spot as 
delightful as can well be imagined, yet I don't know if ever I shall go 
thither to reside. I am as pleasantly situated here as I could wish 
to be." 

He had been for some time one of the ministers of the Episcopal 
Chapel of Edinburgh, where he died May 1, 1785, at the age of fifty- 
one. Dr. Cooper possessed wit and humor to a great degree ; and 
pleasing manners, united to agreeable conversational powers. Although 
he had long expected death, he died suddenly, soon after writing the 
following epitaph of himself : — 

" Here lies a priest of English blood, 

Who, living, liked whate'er was good; 

Good company, good wine, good name ; 

Yet never hunted after fame. 

But, as the first he still preferred, 

So here he chose to be interred ; 

And, unobserved, from crowds withdrew, 

To rest among a chosen few ; 

In humble hope that Sovereign Love 

Wiirraise him to the blest above." 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 517 



LINES BY DR. COOPER, PRESIDENT OF KING'S, NOW COLUMBIA, 

COLLEGE. 

The following lines were written by Dr. Cooper,^ in England, on 
the 10th of May, 1776, the anniversary of his departure from New 
York. As it is descriptive of his precipitate flight from the College, 
to avoid the outrages of a mob, this effusion may be regarded as a 
document of historical interest, aside from the beauty of the poetry : — 

" To thee, God ! by whom I live. 
The tribute of my soul I give. 

On this revolving day : 
To thee, God ! my voice I raise, 
To thee address my grateful praise. 

And swell the duteous lay. 
Nor has this orb unceasing run 
Its annual circle round the sun. 

Since when the heirs of strife. 
Led by the pale moon's midnight ray. 
And bent on mischief, urged their way 

To seize my guiltless life. 
At ease my weary limbs were laid, 
And slumbers sweet around me shed 

The blessings of repose : 
Unconscious of the dark design, 
I knew no base intent was mine. 

And therefore fear'd no foes. 
When straight a heaven-directed youth,2 
Whom oft my lessons led to truth. 

And honor's sacred shrine. 
Advancing qixick, before the rest, 
With trembling tongue my ear addrest. 

Yet sure in voice divine : 
'Awake ! awake ! the storm is nigh — 
This instant rouse — this instant fly — 

The next may be too late : 
Four hundred men, a hostile band, 
Access importunate demand. 

And shake the groaning gate.' 
I wake — I fly — whilst loud and near 
Dread execrations wound my ear. 

And sore my soul dismay; 
One avenue alone remain'd, 
A speedy passage there I gain'd. 

And wing'd my rapid way. 
That moment all the furious throng. 
An entrance forcing, pour'd along, 

1 A life-sized portrait of Rev. Dr. Cooper, painted by Copley, for his ancestor, was 
presented by the late Mr. Stuyvesant to the editor, and is now in his possession. 

2 Mr. Nicholas Ogden. 

44 



518 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

And fill'd ray peaceful cell ; ^ 
Where harmless jest, and modest mirth. 
And cheerful laughter oft had birth, 

And joy was Tvont to dwell. 
Not ev'n the Muses' hallow'd fane, 
Their lawless fury can restrain. 

Or check their headlong haste; 
They push them from their solemn seat. 
Profane their long rever'd retreat, 

And lay their Pindns waste. 
Nor yet content — but hoping still 
Their impious purpose to fulfil. 

They force each yielding door; 
And whilst their curses load my head. 
With piercing steel they probe the bed. 

And thirst for human gore. 
Meanwhile along the sounding shore. 
Where Hudson's waves incessant roar, 

I work my weary way ; 
And skirt the windings of the tide. 
My faithful pupil by my side. 

Nor wish the approach of day. 
At length ascending from the beach. 
With hopes reviy'd by morn, I reach 

The good Palemon's 2 cot ; 
Where, free from terror and affright, 
I calmly wait the coming night, 

My every fear forgot. 
'T was then I scal'd the vessel's ^ side. 
Where all the amities abide 

That mortal worth can boast ; 
Whence, with a longing, lingering view, 
I bid my much-lov'd York adieu, 

And sought my native coast. 
Now all compos' d, from danger far, 
I hear no more the din of war. 

Nor shudder at alarms ; 
But safely sink each night to rest, 
No malice rankling through my breast. 

In freedom's fostering arms. 
Though stripp'd of most the world adnaires. 
Yet torn by few untam'd desires, 

I rest in calm content; 
And humbly hope a gracious Lord 
Again those blessings will afford, 

Which once his bounty lent. 
Yet still for many a faithful friend. 
Shall day by day my vows ascend 

Thy dwelling, O my God ! 
Who steady still in virtue's cause, 
Despising faction's mimic laws, 

^ King's, now Columbia, College. 2 Mr. Stuyvesant's seat in the Bowery. 

3 Kinyjiiher, sloop of war, bound to England. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.. 519 

The paths of peace have trod. 
Nor yet for friend alone — for all 
Too prone to heed sedition's call, 

Hear me, indulgent Heaven ! 
Oh ! may they cast their arms away, 
To Thee, and George, submission pay, 

Repent and be forgiven ! " 

Copley, John Singleton, Esq., the distinguished historical •/ 
painter, was born at Boston. His mother was a daughter of Gen. 
Winslow, and his sister-in-law was the wife of Col. Henry Bromfield. 
He married a daughter of Richard Clarke, Esq., one of the con- 
signees of the East India Company's tea ; and being an Addresser of 
Gov. Hutchinson, was early a Refugee Loyalist. Mr. Copley visited 
Italy in 1774, and joined his wife and children in England in 1776. 
He resumed his profession in tlie metropolis with unsurpassed success. 
His " Death of Chatham," " Defence of Gibraltar," and " Charles L 
in the House of Commons," ^ placed him among the first artists of the 
age. He died in the full exercise of his talent, suddenly, in 1815. 
Many of his superb portraits adorn the mansions and galleries of 
Massachusetts. His only son, Lord Lyndhurst, as distinguished in the 
legal profession as his father was as an artist, was born in Boston in 
1772, and graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he distin- 
guished himself, winning many prizes. In 1816 he was elected to 
Parliament. In 1819 became Solicitor-General; in 1826, on the 
death of Lord Gifford, Master of the Rolls, and in 1827, Lord High 
Chancellor of England, which honorable post he held in 1845 for the 
third time ; all of which offices he filled with distinguished ability.* 

1 This superb picture, illustrating a most important event and era in the history of 
civil liberty, was purchased by President Quincy and a few other eminent citizens of 
Boston several years ago, and adorns the city library. England could not appreciate 
it; that soil was uncongenial to the sentiment it inculcates, but here we trust the tree 
of liberty will grow and live forever. 

2 The following is extracted from a letter written by this distinguished man to his 
aunt, Mrs. Startin, of New York. It shows his character at that period of his life, 
then at the age of twenty-five. We insert it, as it praises the measures of the Amer- 
ican Government with regard to France, dated London, July 20, 1797: — 

" In the character of a correspondent, deficient as I am, I yet think I may triumph 
over my aunt, for not one line have I received from her since I quitted New York. 
Perhaps she has not yet forgiven the many strange pranks which I played during my 
residence in America. And yet she promised to forget and forgive. I am sorry to re- 
ceive from Mr. Prune unfavorable accounts of Mr. Startin's health. I hope you will 
have the goodness to remember me very kindly to him, and place me in the most fa- 
vorable light by stating what is really the case, that I am already grown as gi-ave as a 
judge. 

" The moderate but spirited and energetic conduct of the American Government 
has exalted the character of the nation in the opinion of the haughty inhabitants of 



520 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

He was raised to the peerage in 1827, and his armorial motto, "ultra 
pergere" may well apply to his former career. A sister of Lord 
Lyndhurst is the widow of Gardner Greene, Esq., of Boston. John 
Singleton Copley, Baron Lyndhurst, died in London, October 12, 
1863. 

The London " Times," in a notice of his death, says : — 

" It is strange to think that there so lately dwelt among us a man who was 
born in America while Massachusetts was a British Colony, who heard Ers- 
kine's great speech in defence of Hardy, who visited Washington at Mount 
Vernon, who prosecuted Queen Caroline on her memorable trial, who had 
been Solicitor and Attorney-General, Master of the Rolls, Chief Baron of 
the Exchequer, and three times Lord Chancellor, and who held the Great 
Seal six-and-thirty years ago, before Lord Palmerston was a Cabinet Minis- 
ter, or the Queen, who has reigned over us for six-and-twenty years without 
a regency, had left the nursery, and who, up to the last few weeks of his 
life, was the charm of his social circle, and the trusted adviser and Mentor 
of a great political party." 

In regard to his oratorical abilities, the editor remarks : — 

" Many orators have exceeded Lord Lyndhurst in the brilliancy of par- 
ticular passages, but in the art of treating a subject as a whole, and leaving 
on his audience his own impression of the Avhole and of every part, he is, as 
far as we know, wholly unrivalled. He disdained ornament, exaggeration, or 
metaphor ; his language was clear, precise, and elegant, but such as might 
have been expected rather from a contemporary of Demosthenes than an Eng- 
lish orator of the nineteenth century. He was his own best critic, and had 
cultivated his taste up to thestandard of his other intellectual powers. He was 
neither dazzled by vanitj^ nor misled by passion ; his temper was as serene 
as his intellect was clear ; and his speeches left little or nothing upon which 
his antagonists could found an attack or an answer. Whoever has heard 
Lord Lyndhurst on a great occasion, has probably enjoyed the very best 
opportunity which modern times afford of estimating the style and manner 
of the great orators of classical antiquity." 

CoRNWALLis, Charles, Marquis, Commander of the British Army 
in America, surrendered at Yorktown, October 19, 1781 ; an event 
which brought the war to a close. In 1790 he was Governor-Gen- 
eral of India, and by his victories in the war with Tippoo Saib ac- 
quired high reputation. Again was he appointed, in 1805, Governor 

Europe, who were accustomed to regard with too supercilious an eye a people just 
risen from the subordinate rank of colonists. 

"The situation of Europe has, since the opening of the campaign, undergone a 
great change. The regicide, attacked on every side by the beagles of ro}'alty, seems 
to have lost all his former spirit and fury, and the zealots think that the ravaging 
monster will be torn to pieces without even the desperate glory of dying hard." 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 521 

of India ; where he died, at Ghazepore, October 5. He married, in 
1768, Miss Jones, a lady of large fortune, who is said to have died 
of a broken heart, in consequence of his engaging in the American 
war. He published an answer to the " Narrative of Sir Henry Clin- 
ton," 1783. 

Crowninshield, George, was one of a family of merchants who 
contributed in no slight degree by their energy and enterprise to 
the commercial prosperity of Salem. When still in the early enjoy- 
ment of abundant success, he avoided confining himself to the beaten 
track of our usual commerce at that time, and, striking out boldly in 
search of untried regions, discovered and opened to our trade ports 
now generally visited, and which have pi'oved inexhaustible in their 
commercial opportunities. The same spirit of enterprise animated 
his Drother-in-law, Elias Hasket Derby, who thus became the founder 
of that extensive East India trade which had so great a share in 
causing Salem to possess for a time so high a mercantile reputation. 
Mr. Crowninshield was born in Salem, August 6, 1734 : he was the 
grandson of an emigrant German physician from Leipsic, in Saxony, 
John Caspar Richter Von Cronenshilt, who came to Boston about 
1686, and who died there in 1711. Two of his sons, John and Clif- 
ford, came to Salem to the family of their mother Elizabeth, daughter 
of Jacob Allin, who was himself a captain in the early trade of Salem 
prior to 17,00. These two sons afterwards became successful mer- 
chants ; the younger, Clifford, outliving by many years his brother, 
died in 1776 ; the elder, John, was the father of the subject of this 
sketch. 

He was born in Boston. Jan. 19, 1696, and is found in Salem as a 
captain in the West India trade about 1724. He was a sharer in the 
growing trade of Salem during the ensuing years, and associated with 
himself in business one by one his three sons, John, Jacob, and George. 
He married, September 27, 1722, Anstiss Williams, by whom he had 
four sons and five daughters. He built the mansion house in Essex 
Street opposite Union Street, where he resided during many years, 
and where he suddenly fell dead. May 25, 1761 ; where too, on the 
evening of December 29, 1819, Rev. William Bentley, D. D., the 
pastor and constant friend of his son George, died in a precisely sim- 
ilar manner. Of his three sons, John, the eldest, soon followed his 
father, dying in 1766, aged thirty-seven, with the same suddenness. 

Jacob, the second son, died November 15, 1774, aged forty-one, on 
his passage from Jamaica. He was the father of the well-known 
Captain Benjamin Crowninshield, noted for his skill and bravery upon 

U* 



522 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

the sea. Of the latter we shall take further notice at the close of this 
article. 

George thus became the only surviving son, and the sole conductor 
of the business. This he enlarged, though subject to great fluctua- 
tions during the Revolution. He married, July 18, 1757, Mary, 
daughter of Richard Derby, a merchant of the first rank, (and father 
to Elias Hasket, who married Elizabeth Crowninshield, a sister of 
George,) by whom he had a numerous family of sons and daughters, 
and who died November 26, 1813, aged seventy-six. He inherited 
from his father-in-law his mansion-house in Essex Street, opposite 
Hardy Street, but he afterwards built a more splendid one in Derby 
Street, which was demolished, to make room for the present Custom- 
House, about 1816. 

In the season of prosperity after the Revolution until the Embargo, 
he shared liberally, and afterwards during the war of 1812 he with 
his sons largely increased their fortunes by their success in pi'ivateer- 
ing ; the most noted of their vessels being the well-known America. 
His spirit of enterprise did not desert him in his latter years, as after 
1800 his ships were the first to visit and trade with certain ports on 
the African coast, previously unvisited, but now of the first impor- 
tance. 

Mr. Crowninshield was in politics an ardent Republican, and op- 
posed to the Federal policy, and spared no pains to increfise Demo- 
cratic sentiments. With his sons he exerted a strong influence upon 
certain classes of the population, especially the seafaring portion, who 
held them in high personal regard on account of their open, hearty 
sympathy with them, and efforts in their behalf, especially during 
those times when our ships were subject to such outrages from foreign 
nations upon the sea. 

In religion he was a Unitarian, being a partaker of the change 
to liberal opinions, which the religious society with which he was 
connected underwent during the ministi'y of the lamented Dr. Bent- 
ley. 

He died of old age, though in the enjoyment of his faculties, June 
17, 1815, aged eighty-one years. An obituary notice says of him : — 
" To a firm constitution and a healthy and temperate life he united a 
generous ambition of active character, and in the prosperity of his 
family, of his commercial enterprises, and of his country, he enjoyed 
what a laudable ambition might pursue and covet to obtain. He was 
most respectfully interred on Sunday evening last." 

He ever acted a patriotic part during the Revolution and the war 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 523 

of 1812, being prompt in his offers of ships and loans to the Govern- 
ment ; was active and public-spirited in the affairs of his native town, 
and desirous to originate and improve its financial or charitable insti- 
tutions. 

Two of his sons, George and John, were distinguished as merchants. 
The former was the owner of the famous pleasure-yacht, the Cleo- 
patra's Barge, in which he made the tour of the ports of Europe. 
She was commanded by his cousin, Capt. Benjamin, and was the first 
American vessel to cross the ocean solely upon a pleasure excursion. 
He returned in October, 1817, and at 9 in the evening of the 26th of 
the following November, while she was lying in port at Salem, he died 
suddenly in the arms of his servant in her cabin, at the age of fifty- 
one. By a curious coincidence, Samuel Curwen Ward, his friend, 
and the companion of his voyage, expired at the same time, at the 
same age, of a consumption. John, the second son, was noted for his 
fine business qualifications and elevated tone of character. He, as 
well as his brothers, bore a conspicuous part in the privateering ser- 
vice during the war of 1812. Jacob and Benjamin Williams took 
active parts in the stormy political periods following the administra- \/ 
tion of Washington, and held high official places in the National Gov- 
emiment. The former was elected to Congress from the Essex South 
District in 1802, which office he retained until May 15, 1808, when he 
died at Washington, aged thirty-eight, after a long and distressing ill- 
ness, caused by the ruptui'e of a blood vessel. In 1805, he was ap- 
pointed Secretary of the Navy, but declined serving on the score of 
ill health. In the House he was specially valued for his knowledge of 
marine and commercial matters, which was extensive and accurate. He 
was diligent, prompt and zealous in promoting the interests of Govern- 
ment, and on great national questions, especially those connected with 
our foreign policy, his patriotism and ability shone conspicuous. His 
private character was unblemished, and he possessed amiable man- 
ners, an open disposition, and a liberal heart. 

The latter, Benjamin Williams, was Secretary of the Navy from 
December, 1814, until his resignation in November, 1818. He was 
also elected to Congress in 1823, and held the office until 1831, a 
longer time than any incumbent had hitherto enjoyed it. He was 
also a State Senator, and in 1818-19 a candidate for the guberna- 
torial chair. 

Like his bi'other, his commercial knowledge was accurate and ex- 
tensive ; his character progressive, though firm ; his understanding 
comprehensive. He resided in Boston the latter years of his life, 



^ 



524 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. " ' 

where, February 3, 1851, he expired in the same sudden manner and 
of the same disease as so many of his family had done. His age was 
seventy-nine years. 

Another son, Richard, was among the foremost in the introduction 
and improvement of woollen factories, which he erected and for a time 
carried on in the neighboring town of Danvers. He was a pioneer in 
those departments of manufacture, and originated many of those sug- 
gestions which have since been so successfully and extensively carried 
out in the manufacturing cities of the State. He died August 18, 
1844, in his seventieth year. 

Benjamin Crowninshield, a nephew of the subject of this article, 
was the son of Jacob. He was born in Salem in 1757, and died in 
Charlestown, November 22, 1836; was a master mariner, and during 
the war with England in 1812, commanded the private armed ship 
John, of 258 tons, mounting sixteen six-pound guns, and manned by 
one hundred and four men ; also the ship Alexander, of 308 tons, 
mounting eighteen six and nine-pounders, and manned by one hun- 
dred and forty men. 

After the war he commanded the yacht belonging to his bachelor 
cousin, George Crowninshield, called Cleopatra's Barge, and accom- 
panied the owner on a pleasure-trip to the Mediterranean Sea, visit- 
ing the most important ports, entertaining numerous parties on boai'd 
in reciprocation of hospitalities extended to the travellers. 

Curtis, Charles, of Scituate, Massachusetts, the son of Benjamin 
and Rebecca (House) Curtis, was born in 1744, and graduated at 
Harvard College in 1765. His wife was a daughter of Deacon John 
James. He was gentlemanly, and with fair prospects, and was 
thought to have gone over to the British with ambitious views ; and 
is believed to have failed as to reward for his mistaken loyalty ; his 
only office after his defection was that of forage-master near New 
York. 

The Committee of Inspection, by request of the town of Scituate, 
waited upon him and Frederick Henderson, to know whether they 
intended to adhere to the Continental Association ; the former replied, 
" I shall not adhere to it ; " the latter said as the former, with the ad- 
dition, " I don't know any Congress." His ignorance is much to be 
wondered at, as he had been an inhabitant of this town for several 
years, and ever since quitting his marine vocation. 

Mr. Curtis was the only one among many suspected persons, who, 
either through despair of the cause or more interested motives, had 
any known design of flying to the British. He died in New York 
previous to 1832. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 525 

Gushing, Thomas, LL. D,, Lieut-Governor, the son of Thomas \/ 
Gushing, a very popular Speaker of the Assembly of Massachusetts, 
was born in 1725, graduated at Harvard College in 1744, was fond 
of public life, and paid too little attention to pecuniary considera- 
tions. He was for many years a Representative, and in 1763, when 
Governor Bernard negatived Mr. Otis as Speaker, he was elected in 
his place, and continued in that office till chosen a member of the First 
Gongress, to meet in Philadelphia in 1774. He was elected Lieut.- 
Governor in 1779, which office he held till his death in 1788. His 
name as Speaker having been signed to all the public papers made it 
known abroad, whei'e he was considered the leader of the Whigs. Dr. 
Johnson, in his pamphlet called '■^Taxation no Tyranny^'' says, "one 
object of the Americans is to adorn the brows of Mr. Gushing with a 
diadem." And he was at other times the object of the sarcasm of 
ministerial writers. He was a member of the corporation of Har- 
vard Gollege, and attentive to its affaii's, and from it he received a 
diploma of Doctor of Laws. 

Three years after he graduated, Mr. Gushing was married to Deb- 
orah Fletcher, and five children were the fruit of this marriage. Gol. 
Thomas Gushing, their only son, married Miss Gatharine, daughter of 
Timothy Orne, Esq., of Salem. She survived him many years, and 
was the wife of the late Hon. Elisha Mack, of Salem. 

Governor Gushing's life was devoted to his country's service. At 
-his last moments he expi'essed a satisfaction in having uprightly filled 
all the offices which had been entrusted to him. He gave many 
proofs of his charity ; his heart melted at the woes of others, and his 
hand was ever open to relieve them. 

Gushing, William, son of John and Mary (Gotton) Gushing, was 
born March 1, 1734, and graduated at Harvard Gollege in 1751. He 
was preceptor of a grammar-school in Roxbury, in 1752 ; was one of 
the founders of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He 
studied law with Jeremy Gridley and was admitted to the bar in 1755. 

Li 1774, he was married to Hannah Phillips, and settled in Pow- 
nalborough, (now Dresden,) Maine. He was erect and graceful, of 
middling stature, rather slight in person, of fair complexion, with 
aquiline nose, and brilliant eyes. His oratory was ready and flowing. 
He was selected by Washington as one of the Justices of the Supreme 
Gourt, for which he was eminently qualified by his learning, by his 
unshaken integrity and deliberate temper. 

He was afterwards nominated to the office of Ghief Justice of the 
United States, and confirmed by an unanimous vote of the Senate? 



V 



526 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

but declined the honor in consequence of infirm health. He died at 
/ Scituate, September 13, 1810. He left no offspring. 
' Dana, Francis, LL. D., Chief Justice of Massachusetts, was a 

descendant of Richard Dana, who died at Cambridge about 1695, 
His father was Richard Dana, an eminent magistrate. He was born 
at Charlestown in August, 1742, and after graduating at Harvard 
College in 1762, studied law with Judge Trowbridge. He passed the 
year 1775 in England, where he had a brother, Edmund, a minister 
at Worcester, who died in 1823. In 1776 he was appointed a Del- 
egate to Congress, and taking his seat in November, 1777, continued 
in that body until in November, 1779, he accompanied Mr. Adams to 
Paris, as a Secretary of Legation. He was elected December 19, 
1780, as Minister to Russia; where he remained, though not publicly 
received, from August, 1781, till the close of the war, returning in 
December, 1783. He was chosen a Delegate to Congress in 1784; 
and a member of the Massachusetts Convention, where he advocated 
the Constitution. The office of Envoy Extraordinary to France, in 
1799, he declined ; and Mr. Gerry was deputed in his stead, with 
Messrs. Marshall and Pinckney. Appointed Chief Justice of Massa- 
shusetts in 1792, he discharged very impartially and ably the duties 
of that office until his resignation in 1806. He died at his seat in Cam- 
bridge, April 25, 1811, aged sixty-eight. Judge Dana was a learned 
lawyer, and presided in court with great dignity ; his opinions on the 
bench were remarkable for their clearness and perspicuity. In his 
politics, during the days of violent excitements, he was strongly at- 
tached to the Federal party. His correspondence while in Europe is 
contained in Dr. Sparks's " Diplomatic Correspondence," vol. viii. 
\l De Grasse, Francois Joseph Paul, (Admiral Count Tilly,) 

born in 1723, made his first appearance in the war between England 
and France, as the ally of the North American Colonies, in command 
of the frigate Rohuste, in the battle of Ouessant, July, 1778 ; the first 
serious act of hostility between the two powers, and the first step of 
the Count de Grasse in defence of American liberty. Under Count 
d'Estaing, in command of a squadron, he aided in taking the island of 
Grenada, in 1779, when the British fleet was saved from total defeat 
by a calm at the close of the action. After three years of distinguished 
services, he left Brest in 1781, in command of a fleet of a hundred and 
fifty sail, (twenty of the line,) and in thirty-six days fell in with Ad- 
miral Hood, then blockading Martinique, whose superiority of sailing 
alone enabled him to escape, with severe damage to four of his ships. 
After a short stay at Port Royal de la Martinique, he concerted with 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 527 

I the Marquis de Bouille the attack of Tobago, the success of which, 
and its rapidity of execution, are well known. 

His distinguished talents and zeal in the cause of America gained 
her entire confidence ; and measures of cooperation were concerted 
between Generals Washington and Rochambeau and the French ad- 
miral, which resulted in the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and 
virtually closed the war between Great Britain and America. Count 
de Grasse was solicited for protection against the British fleet daily 
expected upon the coast, for a reinforcement of troops, for provisions 
"(3?e guerre and de houche" and for 1,200,000 francs for the more 
pressing necessities of the French troops. To all of these demands 
he lent most zealous and efficient aid, and in the short space of twelve 
days he collected all his disposable naval force, (without endangering 
St. Domingo,) embarked three thousand four hundred troops, and by 
his personal influence, and the actual pledge of his estates in St. Do- 
mingo and France, raised the funds desired. The expedition (neces- 
sarily a secret one) arrived at the Capes of the Chesapeake on the 
28th August, the same day that Admiral Hood appeared off New York 
with fourteen vessels of the line. He succeeded in landing the ti'oops, 
and on the 5th September was prepared, and engaged the British fleet 
until nightfall, when they separated. After four days' vain search for 
bis opponents, he returned to the Capes in time to intercept two frig- 
ates, the Iris and Richmond, which were leaving the bay with des- 
patches they had been unable to deliver to Coi-nwallis. The allied 
armies (informed of the approach of the French fleet, by the frigate 
La Concorde, on 15th August) arrived at the mouth of the Elk on 
6th September, one hour only after the bearer of despatches from 
Count de Grasse. Count Rochambeau spoke of this coincidence as 
most remarkable, that a combined expedition of land and naval forces, 
the one from the north of America and the other from the West In- 
dies, should both arrive in the same bay only one hour apart. On the 
19 th October, Lord Cornwallis capitulated to the united forces of France 
and America ; six thousand five hundred men were made prisoners of 
war, one hundred and sixty cannon, twenty-two flags, and forty trans- 
ports, fell into the hands of the allies. 

This expedition originated with Count de Grasse ; the plan was 
matured by Washington, Rochambeau, and himself in concert. 

To the activity of all the commanders is mainly due this transcen- 
dent success, as only eight days after the capitulation was signed, an 
increased British naval force arrived off the Capes with seven thou- 
sand troops on board ; enough, in all probability, to have sustained the 
Royal authority in the South. 



528 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Congress passed a resolution on the 28th October, to erect a mon- 
ument at lorktown in commemoration of this great event, and also 
the folIowmg:_"That the thanks of the United States, in Congress 
assembled, be presented to his Excellency the Count de Grasse, for the 
skill and valor he has shown in attacking and beating the British fleet 
in Chesapeake Bay, and for the zeal and ardor by which he ^ave by 
the naval force under his command, the most eflPective and dis'tin- 
guished succor and protection to the allied army in Vir'^inia " Con- 
gress also presented him four pieces of cannon, inscribed as follows- 
"Taken from the English Army, by the combined forces of France 
and America, at Yorktown, Virginia, August 19, 1781. Presented to 
his Excellency Count de Grasse, in testimony of the inestimable ser- 
vices rendered by him on that day." 

The cannon remained at the chateau of Tilly, fourteen leagues from 
Pans, until, during the French Revolution, the property and all its 
dependencies were lost to the family. 

On the 13th February, 1782, the island of St. Christopher surren- 
dered to Count de Grasse and the Marquis de Bouille. 

In command of the united forces of France and Spain in the West 
Indies the Count sustained his high naval reputation, and defended 
himself successfully against the English fleet until the 12th April 
when (his vessels having been injured by contact with each other,' 
his own ship, the Ville de Paris, being run afoul of by the Zelee 
he was attacked by eleven of the enemy. His sails torn and ships' 
ungovernable, his crews fasting and worn down with the exertions of 
the previous nights, and without chance of success, he hauled down 
his flag, after combating from 8 A. M. till 6 P. M. History offers 
no example of a longer or more spirited naval engagement, or a 
more obstinate resistance. It was proved at a court of inquiry that 
the most important manoeuvres, as well as nine signals from the Ad- 
miral, were neglected. Count de Grasse (which is worthy of notice) 
never left the quarter-deck during the action, nor received a wound ; 
he had a hundred and twenty-one killed on board the Ville de Paris 
and a very large number wounded. ' 

Carried a prisoner to England, the hero became negotiator, and 
exerted himself with that Government to incline it to peace. He had 
the gratification of taking to France, in August following, verbal prop- 
ositions of peace to the French Government from Lord Shelburne 
First Lord of the Treasury. France insisted upon the acknowledg- 
ment of the independence of the United States as a condition of the 
treaty, and the preliminaries were signed at Paris on the 30th Novem- 
ber, 1782. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 529 

History shows that the United States are as much indebted to the 
unceasing efforts of the Count de Grasse in her favor after his return 
to Europe, as for his brilliant achievements in the Chesapeake and 
West Indies. It may be said that his life vpas consecrated to securing 
independence to the North American Colonies ; for its accomplishment 
he employed all his valor, all his talents, all his zeal, and finding his 
task completed and object gained, he died on the 14th January, 1788 
in the sixty-fifth year of his age. 

Count de Grasse left an only son, who served with honor in the 
several grades of the French Army, and was decorated by Count 
Rochambeau at St. Domingo with the Cross of St. Louis, in behalf of 
Louis XVI. At the massaci'e of Cape Francois, he saved himself and 
family on board an American vessel, which landed them in complete 
destitution at Charleston, where, with other exiles, they experienced 
the hospitality and sympathy of the inhabitants. Count de Grasse 
became a citizen of the United States, and subsequently returned to 
the service of his country, his attachment to which was manifested in 
the campaigns of Italy and Spain. 

The last daughter of the first Count de Grasse was the widow of 
the late Francis Depau, Esq., of this city, one of our most enterpris- 
ing, opulent, and public spirited merchants, to whom all praise and 
credit is due for greatly extending our commerce with France, by 
establishing the first line of packets between New York and Havre. 

D'EsTAiNG, Admikal Charles H., (Count D'Estaing,) com- •/ 
manded the French fleet sent to our aid in the war of the Revolution. 
He made an unsuccessful assault upon Savannah, Oct. 9, 1779, where 
Pulaski was mortally wounded. He afterwards captured Grenada. 
Being a member of the Assembly of Notables in France, and incur- 
ring the suspicion of the dominant faction, he fell by the guillotine at 
Paris on the 29th April, 1793. — Allen's Biog. Diet. 

De Kalb, John, Baron, a Major-General in the American Army W 
during the war of the Revolution, was born in 1732, in Alsace, a 
German Province in possession of France, and educated to the art of 
war in the French Army. 

In 1762 he visited the Anglo-American Colonies as a secret Agent 
of the French Government. He was a Brigadier in the French ser- 
vice, when, Nov. 7, 1776, he made with Franklin and Silas Deane 
an engagement to serve in the forces of the revolted Colonies. In 
1777 he accompanied Lafayette to America. 

Congress appointed him a Major-General, Sept. 15, 1777; after 
which he joined the main army under "Washington, and was active in 

45 



530 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

the events near Philadelphia which preceded the encampment at 
Valley Forge. He served in New Jersey and Maryland, till in April, 
1780, he was sent to reinforce Gen. Lincoln, then besieged in Charles- 
ton, but arrived too late. He was second in command to Gen. Gates ; 
and in the disastrous battle of Camden, Aug. 16, 1780, was at the 
head of the Maryland and Delaware troops, who maintained their 
ground till Cornwallis concentrated his whole force upon them. 

The night before the battle he warned Gen. Gates of their danger 
if they fought from the unfortunate position in which the enemy had 
placed them ; when Gates intimated that he was afraid : to which 
De Kalb replied, " We shall see to-morrow which is the brave man." 
De Kalb fell mortally wounded, surrounded by many of his body- 
guard, killed ; whereas Gates was found next morning more than 
twenty miles from the battle-field. De Kalb fell, pierced with eleven 
wounds, in the charge upon his regiments before they gave way. He 
died at Camden three days afterward, and a monument was erected 
there to his memory in 1825, Lafayette placing the corner-stone. 

Derby, Elias Hasket, Sen. This eminent merchant and dis- 
tinguished citizen of Salem, Mass., descended from Roger Derby, 
born in 1643, who emigrated from Topsham, near Exeter, England, 
and settled here. The father of the subject of this notice, named 
Richard, eai'ly embarked in commercial pursuits Avith varied success. 
He lived to witness the independence of his country, and by his will, 
proved in 1783, he left an ample provision for his widow, and divided 
nearly seventy thousand dollars among his children. He founded the 
Derby Academy at Hingham. His eldest son, Richard, was an ar- 
dent patriot, and his son John was owner of the ship Columbia, which 
on her second voyage discovered the Columbia River. By a remark- 
able concurrence of events, and by the uncommon speed of two ships 
owned by his father and brother, he cai*ried to England the first news 
of the battle of Lexington ; returned to Salem with the first intelli- 
gence of the effect it produced in England, which he laid before Gen. 
Washington, at Cambridge ; and, at the close of the war, brought to 
America fi'om France the first news of peace. 

His second son, Elias Hasket, the subject of this Memoir, was born 
in Salem, August 6, 1739, and in early life appears to have been the 
accountant and correspondent of his family. At an early age he 
married a Crowninshield, while his sister married a Crowninshield. 
From 1760 to 1775, imbibing the spirit of his father, and acquiring 
through him and his captains, a knowledge of commerce, he engaged 
extensively in trade to the West Indies. So that at the close of this 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 531 

period he was owner of seven vessels, and had, by industry and fru- 
gality, acquired a property of fifty thousand dollars. All of the fam- 
ily espoused the cause of the Colonies. Mr. Derby took a prominent 
part with his townsmen in the equipment of one hundred and fifty- 
eight armed vessels fitted out from Salem during the Revolution, 
mounting more than two thousand cannon, and manned by the sea- 
men of Salem and the contiguous ports. 

Thus active was Mr. Derby in creating a volunteer navy, which 
proved itself as effective as the army in humbling the pride and crip- 
pling the resources of Great Britain. The distinguished naval hero, 
Jonathan Haraden, performed prodigies of valor in command of 
these vessels, an account of which will be found in these pages under 
the title of " Capt. J. Haraden." Capt. Richard J. Cleveland, who 
was in his employ from 1788 to 1795, and who has passed to the 
spirit world, after a life of singular vicissitudes, bears the following 
testimony to his ability and character, in the first page of his " Nar- 
rative of Voyages and Commercial Enterprises," published in 1842 : — 
" In the ordinary course of commercial education in New Eng- 
land, boys are transferred from school to the merchant's desk at 
the age of fourteen. When I reached this age, it was my good for- 
tune to be received into the counting-house of Mr. Derby at Salem, a 
merchant who may justly be termed the father of American commerce 
to India ; one whose enterprise and sagacity were unequalled, and 
pei'haps have not been surpassed since. To him our country is in- 
debted for opening the trade to Calcutta, before whose fortress his 
was the first vessel to display the American flag ; and, following up the 
business, he reaped golden harvests before other merchants came in 
for a share of them. The first American ships seen at the Cape of 
Good Hope and the Isle of France belonged to him. His were the 
first ships which carried cargoes of cotton from Bombay to China ; 
and among the first which made a direct voyage to China and back. 
While he lived he continued to prosecute this business. In the trans- 
action of affairs abroad he was liberal, greatly beyond the practice of 
the present day, — always desirous that all should share the good for- 
tune to which he pointed the way ; and the long list of masters of 
ships who have acquired fortunes in his employ, is a pi'oof both of his 
discernment in soliciting and of his generosity in paying them. 

" Without possessing a scientific knowledge of the construction and 
sparring of ships, Mr. Derby seemed to have an intuitive faculty in 
judging models and proportions ; and his experiments, in several in- 
stances, for the attainment of swiftness of sailing were crowned with 



532 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

success unsurpassed by others. He built several ships in the imme- 
diate vicinity of the counting-house, which afforded me an opportu- 
nity of becoming acquainted with the building, sparring, and rigging 
of vessels. The conversations to which I listened, relating to the 
countries then yearly visited by Americans, the excitement on the 
return of an adventure from them, and the great profits which were 
made, always manifest from my own little adventures, tended to stim- 
ulate the desire in me of visiting those countries, and of sharing 
more largely in the advantages they presented." 

Mr. Derby's lai'ge and tasteful house on Essex Street, with a con- 
servatory, was occupied by him but for a few months when he was 
called to his fathers. He had enriched it with a large library, and 
secured the services of Mr. Heussler, a scientific horticulturist from 
Germany. The mansion in which he lived while acquiring his for- 
tune still stands in Washington Street, (then Court,) and is the city 
residence of R. Brookhouse, Esq. 

Although Mr. Derby left seven children, neither of them were will- 
ing to cope with the style of living attendant on such a structure as 
his new palatial residence. The buildings and garden were closed 
for years, and finally gave place to the square and market which now 
bear the name of Derby. 

We cannot forego the pleasure of closing this article without giving 
the following obituary, which is ascribed to the pen of his son-in-law, 
the Hon. Benj. Pickman. 

Extract from the Salem Gazette of Sept. 10, 1799. 

" Died in this town on Sunday last, at the age of sixty, Elias Hasket 
Derby, Esq., having survived his amiable consort but a few months. 

" Though his natural disposition led him to retire from public obser- 
vation, yet his character has been of too much importance in the com- 
munity of which he was a member for his departure out of life not 
to be sensibly felt and regretted. By a regular application to com- 
mercial pursuits, by a careful attention to all parts of his business, and 
by a remarkable course of good fortune, he arrived to a high degree 
of opulence. He possessed an uncommon spirit of enterprise, and in 
exploring new channels of commerce has frequently led his country- 
men to sources of wealth. He was among the first who embarked in 
the trade beyond the Cape of Good Hope, which has since become so 
extensive and lucrative ; he made various improvements in naviga- 
tion, and the many excellent vessels built according to his own plans 
and under his immediate direction are proofs of his skill in naval 
architecture. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 533 

" If that man is deserving of the gratitude of his country ' who 
makes two blades of grass grow where one only grew before,' the 
memory of Mr. Derby has a claim to the affectionate regards of his 
fellow-citizens, for he possessed a good taste in gardening and agricul- 
ture, and most judiciously — both for his own enjoyment and the ben- 
efit of his country — applied a part of his wealth to improvements in 
that department. By his successful experiments in his excellent 
garden and farm in Danvers, he taught the neighboring farmers that 
their lands are capable of productions which they had before thought 
could be procured only in more genial soils. It was in these improve- 
ments that Mr. Derby found some of his most tranquil enjoyments, 
and they imparted delight to all who had the curiosity to visit them. 

"In all his dealings Mr. Derby regarded the principle of justice, 
and his engagements were sacredly fulfilled. In the possession of 
riches, he did not forget the duties of charity. Providence had blessed 
him with abundance, and others partook of the gift ; his hand often 
cheered the heart of poverty and affliction, and his charities were 
always applied with judgment, — often in secret, never with ostenta- 
tion. His deportment was modest and grave. In the hours of relax- 
ation he was affable, mild, and cheerful. 

" In the interesting domestic character of husband and father, he 
was particularly amiable, and possessed the unbounded affections of 
his family. He was a sincere believer in the Christian religion, which 
he evinced by an habitual regard to its precepts, by a uniform attend- 
ance upon public worship, and by a firm expectation — expressed 
throughout his last sickness, — of inheriting its pi'omises. In short, 
he has well discharged the duties of life, and we trust he is removed 
to a better world," Extracted from E. H. Derby's Life of his Grand- 
father. 

Derby, Richard, son of Richard and brother of Elias Hasket, sj 
Sen., was born in Salem, January 6, 1736, and died December 8> 
1781. He studied medicine in early life, but soon embarked in com- 
merce. An earnest patriot, he took a leading and active part during 
the Revolution. He was of the Committee of Safety and Correspond- 
ence ; a Representative to the General Court from 1769 to 1773; a 
Delegate to the Provincial Congress in 1774-5 ; a Counsellor in 1774, 
'76 and '77. He was appointed in September, 1778, one of the State 
Agents for prizes in the Middle District. He owned a large and val- 
uable estate at Realside, Beverly, known as the Brown Hall Estate, 
formerly Col. William Browne's, where he resided during the summer 
months and conducted his farm. He married Lydia, daughter of Jon- 

45* 



534 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

athan and Elizabeth Gardner, of Salem, Of their sons, Richard was 
a Captain in the Navy of the United States, and died at Boston, 
June 18, 1832, aged sixty-seven, and General Samuel Gardner, who 
died at Weston, Mass., Jan. 17, 1843, aged seventy-six. 

Draper, Sir William, rendered himself famous by his corre- 
spondence with " Junius," in vindication of the character of the Mar- 
quis of Granby as Commander-in-Chief; for although as a writer he 
was second only to Junius, he was foiled by him, and withdrew from 
the contest extremely mortified. He soon after left England, arrived 
at Charleston, S. C, in January, 1769, and travelled towards the 
north as far as New York, receiving every attention on his way. At 
New Yoi'k he married Miss De Lancey,-^ " a lady of great connections 
there, and agreeable endoivments," says the " London Magazine " for 
1766. She died in 1778. In 1778 he was appointed Governor of 
Minorca. He built at Clifton, near Bristol, a monument of taste, 
and called it " Manilla House ; " and he also erected in College Green, 
at Bristol, a mausoleum over the remains of his parents. 

The Fairfaxes of Virginia. In this estimable and noble fam- 
ily the immortal Washington passed four years of his youth. And as 
it was the period when character usually receives its stamp, there is 
no doubt that the formation of his was essentially influenced by the 
association. 

The Hon. Col. William Fairfax, a son of Henry Fairfax, of Towl- 
ton Hall, Yorkshire, and a grandson of Thomas the fourth Lord Fair- 
fax, lost his father when very young, and was educated under the aus- 
pices of his uncle. Lord Lonsdale, (ever styled the good,) at Lowther 
School, in Westmoreland. Here he acquired a good knowledge of the 
classics as well as modern languages. At twenty-one he entered the 
array, and served in Spain during Queen Anne's war, under his uncle, 
and afterwards in the expedition against the Isle of Providence, then 
in possession of pirates. Upon its reduction he was appointed its Gov- 
ernor, but the climate disagreeing Avith him, he resigned his commis- 
sion and removed to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1724, where he resided 
for eight years, as Collector of the Customs and a magistrate, esteemed 
and respected by all.^ His wife died during this period, and he was 
united in a second marriage to Deborah, daughter of Francis Clarke,^ 

i Daughter of James De Lancey, Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of New 
York, who died in 1760. 

2 His house was the S. E. corner of Cambridge and Essex Streets. 

8 Miss Mary C. Anderson, great-granddaugliter, who owned and occupied the 
Clarke House at the corner of Essex and Noi'th Streets, until taken down, owned a 
fine portrait of this ancestress of the present noble family of Fairfax. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 535 

Esq., of Salem, a gentleman of the first respectability. Three chil- 
dren were the offspring of this connection, viz. : Bryan, William, and 
Hannah. He sailed from Salem with his family for the South on the 
17th of June, 1734, and settled first in Westmoreland County, Vir- 
ginia, near the Washington family, and afterwards in Fairfax County, 
where he erected a beautiful villa on the Potomac, adjoining Mount 
Vernon, which he called Belvoir. He long sustained the offices of 
Lord-Lieutenant and Keeper of the Rolls of the county. Collector 
for South Potomac, and President of the Council of Virginia. He 
was highly accomplished, and eminently distinguished for public and 
private virtue and religious principle. He died Sept. 3, 1757, aged 
sixty-six. Washington, on leaving for his command on the 23d of 
April, 1755, thus addressed Col. Fairfax : — "I cannot think of leav- 
ing the county without embracing the last opportunity of bidding tou 
fareivell." 

His eldest son, George W. Fairfax, succeeded to his father's es- 
'tate and employments. In early life he was for a while co-surveyor 
with Washington to his kinsman. Lord Fairfax. In 1753 he was a 
candidate for the House of Burgesses, and Washington, then just 
twenty-one, deeply interested in his success, was engaged in a personal 
altercation in his behalf, with Mr. Payne, a friend of the rival candi- 
date ; and it may be well to remark in passing, that, finding himself 
the aggressor, he made an apology, and that forever secured the 
friendship of Mr. Payne. This is the only altercation it is believed 
which Washington was engaged in during his long life. Mr. Fairfax 
took an unfavorable view of the Revolutionary movement, and long 
before the appeal to arms went to England. So critical was his ar- 
rival there, that he passed in the river Thames the ill-omened tea 
which eventually caused the rupture between the mother country and 
her Colonies. It is probable he is the friend referred to by Weems in 
the following paragraph of his book, (p. 67,) " Lord Fairfax happened 
to be at Mount Vernon when Washington received advice from a 
friend in London that the Tea Ships were about to sail for America, 
and said to him, ' Well, my Loi'd, and so the ships with the gunpow- 
der tea, are, it seems, on their way ! ' 

" ' Why, Colonel,' replied his Lordship, ' do you call it gunpowder 
tea ? ' To which he responded, ' Because I fear it will prove inflam- 
mable, and produce an explosion that will shake both hemispheres.' " 

Part of Mr. Fairfax's estates were confiscated on account of his 
principles, and the heavy reverse of fortune obliged him to abandon 
his seat in Yorkshire, lay aside his carriage, and remove to Bath. 



536 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Here he so lived as to save large sums, which he sent for the use of 
the American prisoners. He died 3d April, 1787, in his sixty-third 
year, lamented for his many virtues and accomplishments. 

Respecting this early and constant friend, Washington thus wrote 
to a correspondent, 8th January, 1788: — "I received your letter 
informing me of the death of our much esteemed and worthy friend, 
George W. Fairfax. I sincerely condole with you and his other 
friends in England upon the occasion. Notwithstanding the long and 
uninterrupted friendship which subsisted between Colonel Fairfax and 
myself, and however desirous I may be to give every proof of my af- 
fection for him and his amiable relict, yet I must decline acting as an 
executor of his estate. My situation ^ would prevent a faithful dis- 
charge of the trust on my part." 

Thomas, second son of the Hon. William Fairfax, a Midshipman, 
and esteemed one of the handsomest young men of his age. The fol- 
lowing epitaph, penned by his distressed father, shows his early fate : 

" To the Memory of Mr. Thomas Fairfax, 

who died fighting in his country's cause, on board the Harwich, in an 
engagement with Mr. Bourdenaye, commander of a French squadron 
on the Indian coast, 26th June, 1746, aged twenty. Beloved of his 
commander, (Capt. Carteret,) and highly favored by his friend, Com- 
modore Barnet, for his politeness of manners, and undoubted bravery 
and skill in the theory of his profession. He was excelled by few as 
a naval draughtsman, and gave early promise, by a pregnant genius 
and diligent application, of a consummate officer for the service of his 
country. But the wisdom of Heaven is inscrutable ; human life is 
ever in the hands of its Author, and while the good and brave are 
always ready for death, resignation becomes their surviving friends. 
Convinced of this duty, yet subdued by the sentiments of a tender 
parent, this tablet was inscribed and dedicated by his sorrowful father." 

William, the fourth son, entered the army an Ensign, and was 
killed in the attack on Quebec, September 13, 1759. He had prom- 
ising abilities, and was highly esteemed by General Wolfe, whom he 
had first accompanied to Louisburg at the time of its second reduction. 
When the General landed under Quebec, he saw young Fairfax sit- 
ting upon the bank of the river, and said to him, " Toung man, when 
we come into action, remember your name." 

They both fell that day on the Heights of Abraham, Wolfe pro- 
claiming that he died satisfied, as he had gained the battle. 

1 President of the Convention for forming the new Constitution. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 537 

Bryan, the third son, pursued the usual course of preparatory 
studies, and took orders in the Church. He had previously passed 
some years at Barbadoes with his uncle, Major Gedney Clark. He 
was for many years Rector of a parish in Fairfax County, Virginia, 
where he continued to officiate till his death, a counterpart of Gold- 
smith's village pastor. The salary and perquisites of his arduous 
office he gave for the support of the widow and children of his prede- 
cessor in the church. His views of the Revolution were not in accord- 
ance with Washington's, but this did not in the least affect their friend- 
ship for each other, which commenced in infancy and continued with- 
out interruption through life. It is happily illustrated by the follow- 
ing extract of a letter from "Washington to him during the gloomy 
period of 1775 : — 

" The friendship which I ever professed and felt for you met with 
no diminution from the difference in our political sentiments. I knew 
the rectitude of my own sentiments, and believing in the sincerity of 
yours, lamented, although I did not condemn, your renunciation of the 
creed I had adopted." 

The foregoing was prompted by "Washington's kind interposition in 
obtaining permission for his retirement to England, of which, however, 
he was unable to avail himself in consequence of certain oaths and 
obligations required by those in power at New York. This service 
elicited the following letter from Rev. Mr. Fairfax to General "Wash- 
ington, to which the letter just now read was in answer : — '■'■There are 
times when favors conferred make greater impressions than others ; — 
at the time when your popularity was at the highest and mine at the 
lowest, and when it is so common for "men's resentments to run high 
against those who differ from them in opinion, that you should act with 
your wonted kindness to me, has affected me more than any favor I 
have ever received, and could not he believed by some in Neio York, it 
being above the run of common minds." 

At the decease of his kinsman, Robert Lord Fairfax, in 1793, the 
Rev. Bryan Fairfax succeeded to the Barony. "Washington be- 
queathed him the superb Bible in three folios, which the Rev. Dr. 
Wilson, Bishop of Soder and Man, had presented to the former with 
flattering testimonials of respect. Thomas, the eldest son of Bryan 
Lord Fairfax, refused an acknowledgment of the title at the decease 
of his father, which would have secured him the rich inheritance of 
Leeds Castle and its appendages. 

To a letter which the editor had the honor to address to that vener- 
able gentleman in December, 1842, he received the following reply : — 



538 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

"As to those designated Loyalists, and opposed to the separation 
from England, I do not know of any of our name except it be Thomas 
Lord Fairfax, and my father, the Rev. Bryan Fairfax. As to the 
former, I suppose, though I am not sure that he ever was, but never 
heard of his suffering any persecution for political opinions. But as 
to my father, I know that he was, and conscientiously so, I believe, 
remaining as it were neutral and taking no part for or against the 
measures of that period ; he was not molested except that, with all 
others of the same way of thinking, he was doubly taxed." To this 
letter Dr. Orlando Fairfax, of Alexandria, a son of the last mentioned 
Thomas, appended the following note, viz. : — 

" My father, Thomas Fairfax, a man of more than eighty years, 
is the eldest son of Bryan Lord Fairfax, but he has always been a 
Republican." 

It now remains to speak of the distinguished head of this virtuous, 
public spirited, and accomplished family, Thomas, sixth Lord Fair- 
fax, the early patron of Washington ; and we deem it necessary to 
dwell more fully upon the incidents of his life and the influences of his 
character than upon those of the others. 

He was born in 1691, a son of Thomas the fifth Lord Fairfax, and 
Catherine, daughter of Lord Culpepper, in whose right he afterwards 
possessed Leeds Castle, several manors in Kent and in the Isle of 
Wight ; and also that immense tract of country comprised within the 
boundaries of the rivers Potomac and Rappahannock in Virginia, called 
the Northern Neck, containing _by estimation five millions seven hun- 
dred thousand acres. He had the misfortune to lose his father while 
young, and came under the guardainship of his mother and grand- 
mother, the dowager ladies Fairfax and Culpepper, the latter of whom 
was a Princess of the House of Hesse- Cassel. He was sent to the 
University of Oxford, where he passed several years, and became 
highly esteemed for learning and accomplishments. His judgment 
upon literary subjects was frequently appealed to, and he was after- 
wards, in conjunction with Addison and others of the " Kit-Cat Club," 
a writer of that immortal work " The Spectator." He took a commis- 
sion in the ax'my, and at the time he left it (which was at the decease 
of the survivor of the two ladies before mentioned) he was at the 
head of a regiment called the "Blues." 

He now began to inquire into the value and situation of his estates, 
and discovered that the proprietary lands in Virginia had been mis- 
managed. He wrote at once to his cousin, the Hon. William Fairfax, 
at Salem, Mass., requesting him to remove to Virginia, and take upon 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 539 

himself the agency of them. Mr. Fairfax readily corniced ; i. e re- 
p!i his office and removed there in 1734, first mto Westmoreland 

A i- nf the country, he resolved to return and settle his aiiairs in 

d»*p- *' '™^'"^- "^ "\"^^ ™ '\z'::t^X 

T •„ 1 pr^ He probably came first to America in 1789, and Unally 

,r, on to Northern Neck in 1746, at Belvoir, in the family of his 

settled o" *« ^°'*'';^^^^ „, ,,„„i„ed several years, directing the 

friend and kms«-an w^ ^__^^ ^^^^.^^ himself with 

management an ™ ? "' J, ^,„,, ,„a the lands not answer- 
hunting. Game at ten t^ ^„ „ter,\e determined to remove to a fine 

table. Hibmannerbwcic ^,.;^p nr self-conceit. He was 

1 nrr s;"sr;;b:;ra:i: to e.ee.s xhe 

;^:rof h- fim, eU What --ssary ^ ;- — - t 

L own family, was ^^IX^^^^'^".., to enable 
the neighborhood, io tt^e.e J ^^^^^._ 

.Uem to go on ^^^^^^X^^ unfavorable, and not 
friend and father of all who held and Uvea ^^^ 

. If 1 fiR8 and early imbibed high notions of liberty, and ot tne 
ciples of 1688, and eauy unu » .ipvoted much of his time 

excellence of the British Constitution ^e " m^ ^^ 

to the public service here ; he was Lonl-I^;7\;7;^^^^^^^ ,,J, held 
the Rolls for Frederick County ; presided at the county 



540 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

at "Winchester, where he always kept open table during the sessions. 
His chief amusement was hunting, and in pursuit of this exercise he 
frequently carried his hounds to distant parts, and entertained every 
person of good character who attended him in the fields, at the inn 
where he took up his residence for the hunting season. 

After Braddock's defeat, in 1755, the Indians in the interest of the 
French committed dreadful massacres upon the back settlements, and 
as Lord Fairfax had been pointed out to them as a captain of renown, 
the possession of his scalp became an object of their sanguinary ambi- 
tion. With the view of gratifying their desire, they made daily in- 
roads in the vicinage of " Greenway Court ; " and it is said that not 
less than three thousand lives fell sacrifices to their merciless barbarity 
between the Apalachian and Alleghany mountains. It was at this 
crisis that the gentlemen of Virginia (for the protection of the fron- 
tiers) associated themselves under command of Peyton Randolph, 
afterwards Pi'esident of Congress. Serious apprehensions were at 
that time entertained for the safety of Lord Fairfax (and family), 
who, being importuned by his friends to retire to the river settlements 
for security, is said to have addressed his nephew, who at that time 
bore the commission .of Colonel, in the following manner, viz. : — 
" The danger we are exposed to. Col. Martin, which is undoubtedly 
great, may possibly excite in your mind apprehension and anxiety ; 
if so, I am ready to take any step you may judge expedient for our 
common safety. I am an old man, and it is of little importance 
whether I fall by the tomahawk of the Indian, or by disease or old 
age ; but you are young, and it is to be hoped may have many years 
before you. I will, therefore, submit to your decision, whether we 
shall remain where we are, taking every precaution to secure our- 
selves against the outrages of the enemy, or abandon our habitation 
and retire w^ithin the mountains, that we may be sheltered from 
dangers to which we are exposed. If we determine then to remain, 
it is possible that, notwithstanding our utmost care and vigilance, we 
may both fall victims ; if we retire, the whole district will break up 
immediately, and all the trouble I have taken to settle this fine coun- 
try will be prostrated, and the occasion perhaps irredeemably lost." 
After a short deliberation. Col. Martin concluded to remain, and as 
affairs soon look a favorable turn, measures were adopted for securing 
the settlement against the carnage and depredations of the Indians. 
His Lordship was never married, and it is thought that disappointment 
in an affair of the heart had no inconsiderable share in determining 
his retirement from the world to the then almost uninhabitable forests 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 541 

of America. And although he lived many years sequestered from 
polished society, he never forgot the accomplished manners he had 
acquired in his youth at Leeds Castle and the University, and which 
secured him a welcome at Court and in the Army. His avowed mo- 
tive for removing to America was the most noble and heroic, viz., to 
settle the immense tract of which he was proprietor; and it may be 
well to remark that no part of " The Old Dominion " was better peo- 
pled and improved. 

So unexceptionable and disinterested was his behavior, both in 
public and private, and so generally was he respected and beloved, 
that although a Loyalist in principle in our Revolutionary struggle, he 
was neither molested nor insulted. He, of course, took no active part 
in the contest, and was, like others who thought like him on the sub- 
ject, only doubly taxed. 

Lord Fairfax died at his farm of Greenway Court in the autumn 
of 1781, (then in his ninety-second year,) soon after learning that the 
British Army, under Lord Cornwallis, had surrendered to General 
"Washington ; " and little did Lord Fairfax think," says Weems, the 
historian, " when educating George Washington, that he would one day 
sever the British Empire and break his own heart." The last event was 
not less certain than the first ; for, on hearing that the British Army 
had surrendered, he said to his servant, " Come, Joe ! carry me to my 
bed, for it is high time for me to die." 

He was buried under the communion-table of the Episcopal Church 
at Winchester, in which he had been for many years a communicant. 
He had long before made a donation of the land upon which the 
church was erected, as well as the graveyard by which it was sur- 
rounded ; and to their shame be it spoken, this ecclesiastical corpora- 
tion sold this consecrated spot in 1833, when the bones of no less 
than one thousand persons, including those of its philanthropic and 
noble donor, were removed, and a row of brick buildings now covers 
the site ! 

The title passed to Robert, the only surviving brother of the de- 
ceased. The estates in Virginia were confiscated, in consequence of 
loyal principles honestly imbibed and frankly avowed by the late pro- 
prietor. The illustrious John Jay said : " The Revolution was a sub- 
ject upon which men might honestly differ." 

Robert Lord Fairfax claimed from the British Government ninety- 
eight thousand pounds sterling, as the amount of property confiscated ; 
and to himself and the trustees under the will were finally awarded 
sixty thousand pounds sterling by the Commissioners appointed to in- 

46 



542 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

quire into and make reparation for the losses and services of American 
Loyalists. 

Robert, the seventh Lord Fairfax, died at Leeds Castle in 1793 ; 
and the Rev. Byhan Fairfax, of whom we have before spoken, suc- 
ceeded to the title. 

Such were the connections, nearest neighbors, most intimate friends, 
associates and patrons of Washington, from infancy to manhood ! In 
these noblemen public spirit and private virtue were ever exemplified ; 
their individual interest was always a secondary consideration to the 
public welfare. They foresaw the rising greatness of the West, and 
adopted a system for its settlement, which has since been pursued by 
our Government for improving the public domain. 

This western wild was not a field on which England's scholars or 
soldiers could expect to reap renown. When they left Europe and 
the attractions of Court, they, of course, abandoned all the hope of 
worldly fame ; their highest aim appears to have been to settle with a 
moral and religious people a vast territory, and thereby enhance the 
happiness of individuals and the general good of mankind. With 
almost boundless wealth, — 

" They scattered blessings o'er a smiling land, 
And read (heir history in a nation's eyes." 

If the foundation of that sublime structure, the character of Wash- 
ington, was laid by his exemplary parents, for the manner in which 
it was raised, step by step, to its dazzling height, we must refer to the 
principles, precepts and examples of the noble family of which he 
was so long an inmate, and whose virtues seem to have so fully im- 
pressed him. Here it was that good morals, so carefully inculcated 
by his mother, were fostered ; and here were religious observances 
constantly practised and enjoined ; nor were they forgotten when, by 
the influence of these friends, he was preferred for a military com- 
mand. Col. William Fairfax, President of the Council, thus addressed 
Washington when encamped at the Great Meadows in 1754: ^' I will 
not doubt your having public prayers in the camp" 

And where but in a family of retired soldiers could Washington 
so early have acquired such knowledge of the art of war as to be- 
come qualified for the office of Adjutant-General at nineteen? or for 
the mission to Fort Du Quesne, which reflected such credit upon his 
judgment and observation ? The profession of arms however had no 
peculiar charm for Washington, for very soon after adopting it he thus 
addressed by letter the Speaker of the Assembly of Virginia : " The 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 543 

sole motive which invites me to the field is the laudable desire of serving 
my country, not the gratification of any ambitious or lucrative plans." 
And to his wife, on accepting the chief command of the army raised 
"for the defence of American liberty," in 1775, he writes thus : "As 
it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this service, I 
shall hope that my undertaking it is designed to answer some good 
purpose. It was utterly out of my power to refuse it without expos- 
ing ray character to such censures as would have reflected dishonor on 
myself, and given pain to my friends." 

In 1788 he thus replied to the Address of a corporate body: " How 
pitiful in the eye of reason and religion is that false ambition which 
desolates the world with fire and svvord for the purpose of conquest 
and fame, compared to the milder virtues of making our neighbors 
and fellow-men as happy as their frail condition will permit them 
to be." 

Neither was Washington ambitious of place or power ; for when 
called upon to become Chief Magistrate in the new Government of 
1789, he thus writes to General Knox : "I should with less resret £0 
to the tomb of my ancestors than enter the vortex of politics." 

Probably it was from Lord Fairfax, the courtier of Britain's " Au- 
gustan " age, that " Washington acquired the very dignified and 
courtly manners, in which he discovered," says Chief Justice Marshall, 
" a just consciousness of that respect which is due to station, and 
whereby he maintained the happy medium between the arrogance that 
■wounds and the facility which allows the office to be degraded in the 
person who fills it." 

And from whom but one of the writers, with Addison, of the admi- 
rable " Spectator," could he have acquired a style so forcible and per- 
spicuous as to elicit from one of the first historians of our day (Mr. 
Allison) the following praise : " He bequeathed to his countrymen an 
Addresss on leaving their Government to which there is no composi- 
tion of uninspired wisdom which can bear a comparison." 

[The foregoing was included in a lecture "On the early Associations 
of Washington, and their Influence on the Formation of his Charac- 
ter," delivered by the editor at Tompkinsville, New York, Jan. 20, 
1859, in aid of the Mount Vernon Fund.] 

Faneuil, Benjamin, Jr., a merchant of Boston, and, together with 
Joshua Winslow, consignee of one third of the East India Compa- 
ny's tea, destroyed at Boston in 1773. He was a Refugee first to 
Halifax and afterwards to England. He was an Addresser of Gover- 
nor Gage in 1775. 



y 



544 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

All we have been able to gather of this branch of the distinguished 
family whose name he bears is the following letter, which shows his 
movements during the early part of the Revolutionary struggle : — 

TO MRS. ANN JONES, HALIFAX. 

London, Mar. 9, 1777. 
Dear Madam: 

This is the first oppt'y that has offer'd for acknowledging the 
receipt of y'^ fav. 21 Nov. last, by w"^ we have the pleasure 
of knowing you were all in health & in a situation not very disa- 
greeable. I cannot say I am very sorry of y' disappointment in 
missing y' passage for England. For unless you could bring a 
barrel of guineas with you, you are better anywhere than here. This 
is the best country in the world for those whose circumstances are 
affluent ; but the very worst for us who are obliged to tirer le diahle 
par le queue. I have paid y"^ dft in favor of Jas. Butler, Esq., 
or £60, but as the year's interest on Col. Vassal's bond is not due till 
May, I shall say nothing to him about it till that time, as it is not 
mentioned in the bond for the interest to be paid every six months. 
Col. Oliver has not been long returned from Ireland, but I mean to 
call on him in a few days & endeavor to get the interest due on his 
bond. The India ships were all either sailed or at least gone down 
the Channel before your letter came to hand, so that it was not in my 
power to pay the 10 guineas you desire to Coz Tommy, or I would 
have done it with great pleasure, nor indeed can I learn anything of 
him as yet. The ships from India will begin to arrive in August next, 
at which time I will make further inquiry about him. I have deliv- 
ered your compliments to the persons you mention. This, I think, 
replies to the diiferent parts of your letter. As I flatter myself 
you may wish to hear how we have disposed of ourselves since we 
have been in England, I must inform you that, on our arrival 
in London, Mrs. Watson sent us a very kind invitation to their 
country-house at Walthamstowe, about seven miles from London, 
where we remained till they left the country, a day or two after 
Christmas, — except that in October we passed a few days at 
Mr. Mauger's seat at Warbourne abo. 100 miles from London «fe 
20 from Southampton ; at the last place we spent a day at Col. 
D'Auvergne, who mar^ a daughter of Mr. Mauger, — and another 
with Mr. Sadlier, a gent° of a handsome fortune, of the best character, 
and as genteel a man as I have seen in England, — he rec*^ us with 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 545 

.reat kindness, urged us to stay a longer time at Southampton, and 
fn'ted me to make use of his house if I should ever return to tha 
part of the country. Mr. Mauger was so kind as to offer us the use 
riis house at Warbourne for the winter; but as I found .t would be 
necessary for me to be in London in the winter to sohcit the great 
fX I could not accept his offer. Since we have been m London 
we hav net with a Mrs. Eacket, dau. of a Mrs^Cailone w^.o was a 
Lte of old Dr. Cutler. She married a Mr. Racket, (a ta.lor,) a 
In of fortune, who lives in very genteel style, - keeps h;s chanot, 
"rntry-house, &c. They have shown us a thousand cw.hties, wh h 
indeed we have rec^ from many people we did not know,-all th.s 
is very clever, but does not help us in our main matter. 

As «oon as Mr. Watson's family came to town we took lodging, m 
drawinlroom, bedchamber, chamber for our man-servant, a.^ the 
use of 1 kitchen in the Strand, almost over against Somerset House, 
for which we pay two guineas per week, -and with provisions, &c., 
tttagun a'a day? exclusive of our clothes & idle expenses, - 
bu I op: this will not last above a fortnight longer, when we mean 
to lo to Bristol where we can board for half the money. As soon as the 
Xmas h^Hdays were over, the Tea -signees pi.sen^ a p^^^^^^^^^^ 
the Lds of the Treas^ , praying a support until the affair, in America 
ttled. This method was taken by the Council, and, indeed, by 



are set 



all the Refugees. ^^ ^ , . rp^y t^^^e agreed to allow for the 

Within the few days the Lds of Iry have agreea vu a 
Witnin u c f . Lt.-Gov. Oliver and Mr. Flucker 

nresent C Jus. Ohver i4UU a yeai , i^i- ^^ 

£300 a year; the Council (Mr. Boullneau among the res ) £200 
ie Rofu-ees in general £100, some only £50. Our affiur .s not 
: atllueely de.JJ-mlned on aceo.n. U^ ^^-^^l^^ZrVLZ 
told we slmll be tueked in between the Couneil & the other Keln„ees 
ltd be Illowed £150 a year. This is a fine affair and we c..n by no 
means L upon it ; bttt there are sueh a eonfounded parcel of us to 
Tprov ded for that I anr told no more will be allowed. As soon 
as this is settled we propose taking ourselves away from London & 
"inrto Bristol. Should there be any oppfy of wnfng to Bos on, I 
Sd take it kind if Coz Betsy would write to my father and let h,m 
tow what I write, & give our loves to Mr. Belham's fam. y & my 

aunt Phillips' family. I do »<>' ""^"'i"" "»? P"" ™*f ' ""., ' , 
iC^m not be alive at the time. We are grieved at her s,tuat,o„ 
but must submit. When we shall be able to retu,^ to Boston, I 
cannot say, but hope and believe it will not -" f;"J;; 
sooner ot- late America will be conquered, and on that they may 



46 * 



546 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

depend. Pray present our best comp^*^ to Mr, and Mrs. Butler, Mr. 
Joe BuUer, Mr. Jack Dight and Betsy Kelly. Tell Mr. Butler I 
shall not write till I get an answer from him to my long letter by the 
RicKd Penn. To Madame Phipps, say the Colonel is well, and 
going to take another wiFe. To Mr. and Mrs. Jewett, Mr. and Mrs. 
Harry Lloyd ; our love also to Coz Betsy and Andrew. Tell Coz 
Betts, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Faneuil were last eve'g at the Oratorio, 
& had the honor of sitting opposite their Majesties. The Queen's 
face is very like Jenny Howard, but smaller. Her person and manner 
like young Mrs. Loring. I have had the honor of seeing & being 
very nigh her in the Presence Chamber. Give our love to Mr. & 
Mrs. Franklin. Tell her Mr. Mauger is disposed to serve him. Mr. 
Mauger has been three times to Lord George's levee on his ace* . 
I once saw him there. I would advise Mr. Franklin to write often 
& cultivate his friendship. Our American acquaintance are all 
well. Mrs. F. was last week to meet Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Erving. 
Col. Erving and family spend the day with us to-morrow, & set out 
for Exeter in a few days, where they have taken a house. Poor Katy 
Hutchinson died about five weeks ago. Pray give our compliments 
to Johnny and Mr. Simpson. A man was condemned to be hanged 
for setting fire to Portsm. Dock. He has confessed he was employed 
by Mrs. Simpson's father-in-law, a Mr. Silas Deane, now in France, 
& it is thought that some people here will be bro't into trouble by 
his confession. 

My fingers ache & paper is almost expended. 
I am, Dr Madm, 

Yr aff serv' cfc nephew, 

Benj''' Faneuil, Jr. 

FiSKE, John, son of Eev. Samuel Fiske, pastor of the First Church 
in Salem, was born there April 10, 1744. He commenced a seafar- 
ing life at fourteen, in brig Jupiter, with Capt. Richard Derby, Jr., and 
before many years became a master mariner, and was also master of 
the Marine Society, a charitable institution for the seafaring, founded 
in 1766. He married, first, a daughter of Deacon Phipper ; second, a 
daughter of Col. Lee, of Manchester ; and third, the widow Gerry, 
who survived him. His only son, John, died just as he reached man- 
hood, and his daughters were married to the late Ebenezer Putnam 
and P^dward Allen, Esqrs., from whom are several descendants. Gen- 
eral Fiske died 28th September, 1797, aged fifty-three. His intrepidity 
and ambition marked his capability for usefulness, and at the com- 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 547 

mencement of the war for independence, he was appointed Captain of 
the brig Tyrannicide, belonging to Massachusetts, which was the first 
vessel commissioned by either of our State Governments : this was July 
8, 1776. A few days after leaving Salem he encountered, and, after 
a severe battle, took a tender to the British squadron, of equal force, 
viz: fourteen six-pounders and one hundred men, — so we are told 
by a grandson of General Fiske, although we have not been able to 
find a record of it ; also that he was very successful in his cruises, 
and fought several sanguinary battles. His first Lieutenant was the 
renowned Jonathan Haraden, who was promoted to the command of 
the Tyrannicide, 10th Dec. 1777, and Fiske ordered to the llassa- 
chusetts, a larger and better vessel, belonging also to the State. He 
acquired a name and a fortune during the war, and at its close again 
embarked in commerce with uprightness and success. He imparted a 
generous support to all enterprises and to industrious men, which not 
a little impaired his fortune. He was exceedingly popular and be- 
loved by all, especially those in his employ. Few men have more 
faithfully or successfully served their country, as was fully delineated 
by the Rev. Dr. Bentley in a funeral sermon at his decease. Upon 
reestablishing the militia system he was successively elected to the 
ranks of Colonel and Brigadier, and Avas a Major-General in 1792. 
His splendid mansion on Walnut Street, ever the abode of generous 
hospitality, was afterwards occupied by the " Sisters of Notre Dame." 

Frye, Petek, Esq., of Salem, was born in Andover, and graduated 
at Harvard College in 1744. He was a Judge of the Common Pleas 
and Register of Probate for Essex County, and Colonel of the First 
Regiment. He was for several successive years a Representative in 
the Provincial Assembly, and was one of the seventeen noted '^Hescind- 
ers" in February, 1768 ; a term of reproach applied to the minority, 
whose votes sustained Gov. Bernard in his demand that an obnoxious 
vote be rescinded, at the Earl of Hillsborough's request. In the 
event of refusal he was directed to dissolve the Assembly. The vote 
i-epelling the demand was 92 to 17. Col. Frye adhered to Govern- 
ment, and was a Refugee in 1775, He married a daughter of Col. 
Pickmnn, of Salem. His daughter Love married Dr. Peter Oliver, 
and afterwards Admiral Sir John Knight, K. C. B., and died at her 
seat at Camberwell, near London, in 1839. Col. Frye died also at 
the residence of his daughter, on the 1st of February, 1820, aged 
ninety-seven. He was included among the banished by law, in Sep- 
tember, 1778. 

Gage, General Thomas, the last Governor of Massachusetts 



y 



548 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

appointed by the Royal Governraent, died in England in 1787 After 
the conquest of Canada in 1760, he was appointed Governor of Mon- 
treaL At the departure of Gen. Amherst in 1763, he succeeded him 
as Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in America; he was 
appomted Governor of Massachusetts, and arrived at Boston, May 
13, 1774. He was a suitable instrument for executing the purposes 
of a tyrannical Ministry and Parliament. Several regiments soon 
followed h.m,and he began to repair the fortifications on Boston Neck 
The powder in the arsenal in Charlestown was seized ; detachments 
were sent out to take possession of the stores in Salem and Concord • 
and the battle of Lexington became the signal of war. In May' 
17/5, the Provincial Congress declared Gage to be an inveterate' 
enemy of the country, when the exercise of his functions was con- 
fined to Boston In June he offered pardon to all Rebels except Sam- 
uel Adams and John Hancock. The battle of Bunker Hill a few 
days afterwards, proved he had mistaken the character of the people 
He embm-ked for England in October, and was succeeded in command 
by Su- Wdham Howe. He is reprobated for treachery in permitting 
the inhabitants liberty to leave the town on delivery of their arms 
and the detaining of many of them. "' 

In 1774 Gov. Gage gave the Colonial Assembly notice of their 
removal to Salem, by adjourning the General Court to the 7th of June 
While the opposition was preparing measures against the Administra- 
tion, a messenger was despatched to the Governor who lived at some 
dis ance. The Secretary was sent to dissolve the General Court, and 
finding the door of the Assembly locked, he read the proclamation on 
the steps. This was the first repulse to Government authority. This 
took place August 23, 1774. 

While the Representatives were sitting with closed doors, they ap- 
pointed the oUowing gentlemen a committee to meet other committees 
that might be convened the 1st Sept. at Philadelphia, viz: Thomas 
Gushing Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, JaLes Bowdoin, and 
John Adams^ They also voted five hundred pounds, and chose a 
Treasurer. Thus commenced our Massachusetts Provincial Council, 

thio^rclfer^^^^ ""''''' '' ''-'' ----- — «^^p-^ ^y 

Gates, Horatio, a Major-General in the Army of the United 

of Lord Orford. In early life he entered the British Army, and laid 
the foundation of his future military fame; he was aid t^ Gen rll 
Monckton at the capture of Martinico, and after the peace of Aix-Ia- 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 549 

Chapelle,he was among the first troops which landed at Halifox under 
General Cornwallis. He was with Braddock at the time of his defeat 
in 1755, and was shot through the body. When peace was concluded, 
he purchased an estate in Virginia, where he resided until the com- 
.nencement of the American war in 1775, when he was appointed by 
Con.^ress Adjutant- General, with the rank of Bngadier-General, and 
accompanied Washington to Cambridge. In August 1777, he took 
command of the Northern Department, and succeeded in capturing 
Bur^oyne in October. Congress passed a vote of thanks, and ordered 
a medal of gold to be presented to him by the President His con- 
duct towards his conquered enemy was marked by a delicacy which 
does him the highest honor ; he did not permit his own troops to wit- 
ness the mortification of the British in depositing their --s- A^t ^ 
Gen. Lincoln was taken prisoner, he was appointed, June 1-, 1'80, to 
the command of the Southern Department; August 16, he was de- 
feated by Cornwallis at Camden.^ After the peace he retired to his 
farm in Berkley County, Virginia, where he remained until the year 
1790, when he came to reside in New York ; having first emancipa ed 
his s aves, and made a pecuniary provision for such as were not able 
t povid for themselves. Some of them would not leave him, but 
continued in his family. On his arrival at New York the freedom of 
he city was presented to him. In 1800 he accepted a seat in the 
Legislature ; his political opinions did not separate 1"- -- ™7 
respectable citizens, whose views differed widely fi^^m hi. own , he 
d April 10, 1806, aged 77. A few weeks before his death he wrote 
this mend, Dr. Mitchell, then at Washington, on some business, and 
closed his letter, dated Feb. 27, 1806, with the following ^^ovds:-- I 
am very weak, and have evident signs of an approaching disso ut,on 
but I hive lived long enough, since I have lived to see a mighty peo- 
p e an mated with alpirit to be free, and governed by transcendent 
^s and honor." He retained his faculties to the last ; he directed 
th h body should be privately buried, which was accordingly done. 
G e 1 Gafes was a Wliig in England, and a Republican in America ; 
he was . scholar, well versed in history and the Latm classics. While 
he was hostuable and generous, yet his manners and deportment in- 
dicated his military character. , -. i c^.^VvillP wis tried 
Gekmaine, Lokb George, afterwards Lord »;^<=^-^^^' ""^ ^^^ 
bv court-martial on account of his conduct at the battle of Minden m 
1759 aid disgraced. To him has been attributed the authorship of 

1 See the article " De Kalb," in this volume. 



^^ BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Zl"'""''^""'. " ■• """ '■' '^ '■"■■dly fos^'bh that an officer ,vho had 
been pubhcly po.nted at and formally convicted by a conrt-martiai 

h mself H,s character ,s known and respected in Ireland as much 
Zl'ir '' '"' ""'"" " '"''' '° '' »'«'--" - '"^ rear JZt 
w„fy,r ^^"'y."^^'^'" <•»■■ the American Department during the 

In a letter to Lord Howe, on his naval conduct, attributed to Lord 

":A:mT V' f ^' r\ ^"'^'■"' ^-^ -™" brother ived:: 

then n itt T T ' ^°" '"" "'"'"'''"' P""" '" ''''' "- -bellion, 

m n rt ' "«1no. happened; and, what is yet of more mo- 
ment o the peace and safety of the Empire, that faction, which is 
da,ly d.t,.ac,mg the Councils of State and wrenching as^der the 
nn.on of power which is necessary to its safety, would now hide its 
monstrous head in the dark cells of its own foltyaud treasi" 

(,en. Howe had friends in Parliament, and Lord Geor.>e Germaine's 
orders and instructions were the subject of their philippl s and 4 ! 
were powerful enough to make that minister retire ' ^ 

Mr Curt™ '?''' •" r';'"'"' °^ ^"'™' """^ « ^"espondent of 
Mr Curwen when ,n the Louisbourg Expedition, was the son of the 
Rev. Henry G.bbs, of Watertown, and born May IS, 1709 He 

daughte, of Rev. Jabez F.tch, of Portsmouth, N. H., and second 

February l/o9, leavmg several cliildren. His son Henry by his 
eco,,d wde, was born May 7, 1749 ; graduated at Harvard College in 

and Lvlr T f, ^'°""' '" "^"•'" ^^'"■■' »' Kowley, Newcastle, 
and Ljnn; afterward he entered into mercantile business at Salem 
He marned Me,-cy, daughter of Rey. Benjamin Prescott, of Danver" 
my had several children : Williatn, the antiquarian of S ,lem ; Ilh 

clinrrf'p;-:;;^!""'^^""' ^'-^ ^°"^»"- -^ «'=-^. -- 

The first mentioned was a Representative to the General Court 
from Salem, and Clerk of the House from 1755 to his death He 
was a Jusfce of the General Sessions and Court of Common Plels 

G00DA«, Nath„, Esq., son of Joshua Goodale and Exper U 
ence Judd, was born 14,h December, 1740, probably in the Good- 
ale Mansion, on Mill Plain, now Boston Street, just beyond Blubber 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 551 

Hollow, on the road to South Danvers ; he was baptized Dec. 21, 
1740, at the church m Salem village. His mother died 14th August, 
1748', and his father contracted a second marriage with Anna Derby, 

of Salem, Sept. 10, 1749. . ,.,n • i 

Nathan Goodale graduated at Harvard College m l/o9 ; married 
Jan 1 1765, Mary, daughter of Mitchell Sewall, granddaughter of 
Major' Stephen Sewall, and Margaret, daughter of Rev. Jonathan 
Mitchell, of Cambridge. Mitchell Sewall was Clerk ot the Courts, 
and inherited and occupied the Sewall Mansion, corner of Essex 
and Sewall Streets. Mr. Goodale was a teacher of youth at nine- 
teen and prominent in Church affairs before the Revolution. He 
belonged to the aristocratic party of the day, and at the breaking ou 
of the rebellion inclined to Toryism. He was for years a merchant 
in Salem, of the highest respectability ; passed some time as an exile 
in Nantucket, but finally swerved to the popular side and was an 
a.ent for priv'ateers. Upon the adoption of the Constitution he was 
afpo Id Clerk of the District Court at Boston, and died at Newton 
c'oC n the 9th of August, 1806. He left two ^^^1^-" = ^rank 
Cabot who died unmarried, and Mary. The latter married Edwaid 
CushL His second wife was Margaret, a sister of his daughters 
SI Mr. Goodale. g—^^^^^ 

::nJ;:L'"'^aXr^em, Massachusetts, Ap^^^ 

1634, in the Elizabe-th, Cap^. Andrews. 

It is recorded in " Felfs Annals" .hat "on the 2Ut No;. 17 -J, 
Cap ain Nathan Goodale had co,ne fron, New Yor .on parole ad 

:£v=;r-:trsr :;:;:^.tr.. ^ 

Id'r: part Jnlar eiren.s.a„.s ^'Jj^rw^Xe^L"" 
detain him as long as possible. M r. Goodale p 

., General Co^rt in n8M782 and 1784.^^ B"'en,. Massaehnse.ts. 
Oetoh'TSrand gXed at Harvard College in .760. He 

«« '^:fMrV»on of PMadelphia, formed onr Code of Rev- 
and, w.th Mr. F''-™™ ; l^^,^^, ;„ (,,,, ,„ this day. 

r n96 Sr Go dh e was elected a Senator in Congress for Mas- 
c e.;. :i- he was distingnished as Chairman of theCommUtee 



^52 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

of Commerce, but resigned and retired from public life in 1800 His 
colleague in the Senate was Caleb Strong, for many successive years 
the popular Governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Goodhue's politics were 
of the Washington school; and that party is now generally admitted 
to have been the purest ever known in our country. He died July 
28, 1814, leaving an irreproachable name to his then surviving son, 
Jonathan Goodhue, Esq., of New York; a merchant who, in char- 
acter and credit, stood second to none in that commercial emporium 
during a long residence, and to the close of his blameless and val- 
uable life. He married a daughter of Gen. M. Clarkson, of New 
1 ork. 

Mr. Benjamin Goodhue married Frances Richie, of Philadelphia, 
January 6, 1..8, who died January 21, 1801. He married, sec- 
ondly, Ann Willard, of Lancaster, November 5 1804 

H^ father, Benjamin Goodhue, was the youngest child of William 
and Mary, and was born at Ipswich, July 11, 1707. In early life he 
removed to Salem was a merchant during a long life, and died at 
Salem, January 20, 1783, having held some of the chief offices in 
town, and was a ruling Elder of the Third Church there 

He descended from William Goodhue, born in England in 1612, 
took the oath of a freeman, December, 1636, and probably came in 
that year. He settled in Ipswich, and was Deacon of the First 
Church for many years. Selectman, Representative in the General 
Court, &e.; he died in 1698 or 99. 

GORHAM Hon. Nathaniel, born at Charlestown, Massachusetts, 
1738, was often a member of the Legislature, and in 1784 was elected 
to Congress, of which body he was afterwards President. He was 
also a Judge of the Common Pleas for several years, and assisted in 
forming the Constitution of the United States, as a member of the 
Convention. His early advantages were only those of a common 
school, but possessing talents of a high order, he appeared to advantage 
m company with literary men. He at one time engaged in mercan- 
tile pursuits, but left them for public life. In debate he had indepen- 
dence enough to dissent from measures he disapproved, and therefore 
he did not escape the obloquy of the ignorant, who confounded all 
moderate men with those who were unfriendly to the cause of liberty. 
He died in 1796. •' 

Gray, William, one of the most successful of American mer- 
chants, w^s born in Lynn, in the County of Essex, and Commonwealth 
of Massachussets, in the year 1751. He came, when quite a boy, to 
Salem, and was an apprentice, first to Samuel Gardner, Esq., an active 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 553 

merchant, but left him and finished his apprenticeship with Mr. R. 
Derby, also a business man of that place. Young Gray was an enter- 
prising and indefatigable apprentice, and had acquired the confidence 
of the principal merchants in Salem when he commenced business for 
himself, which in that careful and industrious town was a fine capital 
to begin upon. 

Mr. Gray was early prosperous in his affairs, and in less than twenty- 
five years after he had commenced business was considered and taxed 
as the wealthiest man in the place, where there were several of the 
largest fortunes that could be found in the United States. He was all 
activity, and at times had more than sixty sail of square-rigged vessels. 
It was a fact that no moderate breeze could blow amiss for him, for 
every wind of heaven carried for him some vessel to port. For more 
than fifty years of his life he rose at the dawn of day, and was shaved 
and dressed before the common hour for others to rise. Being dressed, 
his letters and papers were spread before him, and every part of his 
correspondence brought up. He was, at the same moment that he 
put millions on the adventurous tracks for gain, with the boldest char- 
acter, careful of the small concerns of expenditures. This he considered 
as belonging to the duty of business. He had married, in early life, 
Miss Chipman, of Marblehead, the daughter of a distinguished lawyer, 
and sister of the late Chief Justice Ward Chipman. They had five 
sons and one daughter. Mrs. Gray was a woman of great powers of 
mind, well cultivated, and for many years was the first in the social 
circle. 

During the embargo, Mr. Gray took sides with Mr. Jefferson, not- 
withstanding his interest suffered greatly. His ships were rotting at 
the wharf. This course brought against him his old friends, and 
raised up a numerous host of new ones. He now removed to Boston, 
and was elected Lieut.- Governor of the State. 

He had several times been elected to the State Senate, but politics 
were not his stronghold, and he sunk the great merchant in the com- 
monplace politician. His immense wealth was used for the wants of the 
Government, with the liberality and confidence of one who believed 
that a Government should not be poor when individuals were rich. 
It is doubtful whether any capitalist in the United States did so much 
for the exigencies of Government as Mr. Gray. And while others 
were speculating on the depreciation of securities, no one will hesitate 
to say that his exertions were dictated by patriotism, with only the 
hopes of an honest remuneration. After the close of the war he 
launched again into commerce, but not with his former success. 

47 



554 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Times had changed, but he had not changed with them, and what 
was a safe calculation once, was not so now ; but still there can be no 
doubt but that he died a rich man, although no public inventory was 
ever taken of his estate, as his heirs gave bonds to pay debts and 
legacies, — which is all that the law requires. 

Mrs. Gray died about two years before her husband, and his eldest 
son since his death. Mr. Gray was happy in his family, and was 
always a domestic man. He was worn out with the fatigues of busi- 
ness at the age of seventy-four, and departed this life November 4, 
1825. His only daughter, long since deceased, was the wife of Col. 
Samuel Swett, A. '^1. and A. A. S., now of Boston. — Hunt's Merchants' 
Magazine, Vol. II. p. 409. 

Greene, David. The "Columbian Centinel" for July 1, 1812, 
printed at Boston, states that on June 21st, died at Ballstowm Springs, 
to which place he had gone for restoration of his health, David Greene, 
Esq., of this town, aged sixty-nine years. Very few persons have 
passed through life so much beloved and esteemed as Mr. Greene, by 
a numerous circle of friends and acquaintance. . . . His singular sweet- 
ness of temper, his undeviating politeness, his uncommon attention to 
strangers, and his extensive connection in business made him known 
and admired in every part of the Union ; and he was justly considered, 
both at home and abroad, as one of the most accomplished gentlemen 
of New England. During the latter years of his life he was President 
of the Union Insurance Company in this town. . . . Like too many 
good men he did not grow gloomy as he grew aged, but maintained 
his social affection in full vigor to the last. . . . We may well be- 
lieve that Mr. Greene was a true disciple of our Lord, and that he has 
now gone to inherit the mansions prepared for those who do good on 
earth. 

He was born July 1,1745; graduated at Harvard College, 1768; 
and married Rebecca Rose, of Antigua ; was an Addresser of Gov- 
ernor Hutchinson ; went to England ; was proscribed and banished in 
1778. 

Green, Joseph, Esq., a wit and poet, born at Boston, 1706, re- 
ceived the rudiments of learning at the South Grammar-School, from 
Mr. Williams, and graduated at Harvard College, 1726. He was the 
author of many fugitive pieces, chiefly satirical, against the Governor 
or Assembly, as chance might direct. He was a fine classical scholar. 
He turned his attention to commerce, of w^liich he obtained a compre- 
hensive knowledge, and acquired a handsome property. To integrity 
and generosity were added in him politeness and elegance. His 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 555 

humor, learning and taste might have connected him with the influen- 
tial, and procured for him almost any distinction ; but he would never 
accept public office. He signed an Address to Governor Hutchinson 
on his leaving the Government. In 1774, when an Act passed Par- 
liament depriving Massachusetts of her charter, a number of council- 
lors were appointed by mandamus ; among them was Mr. Green, who 
declined the honor as soon as summoned, giving in his resignation to 
Governor Gage. Of his poetical pieces, the "Elegy on Mr. Old 
Tenor," and the satire on the processions of Freemasons, have passed 
throuo-h many editions. During the Whitfieldian controversy, there 
was a club of sentimentalists who wrote what they pleased, and, as the 
pamphlets were emitted from the press, it was easy to conjecture the 
parts he wrote, especially if a line of poetry was introduced. They 
also took a part in politics, and began by attacking the Administration 
of Governor Belcher, putting his speeches into rhyme. In the con- 
troversy with Great Britain, previous to the Revolution, most of these 
gentlemen joined the party of Loyalists. Mr. Green was included in 
the Act of Banishment of 1778, and having left Boston early in 1775, 
passed the remainder of his days in England, where he died in Lon- 
don, December 11, 1780, aged seventy-four. 

Gridlet, Benjamin, Esq., a son of Jeremiah Gridley, was born 
at Boston, January 28, 1731, and graduated at Harvard College in 
1751. He was a barrister-at-law, discovered capacity and genius, 
real sentiment, fancy, wit, humor, judgment, and observation, yet he 
seems to be wholly lost to the world. He has no business, lies a bed 
till 10 o'clock, drinks, laughs and frolics, but neither studies nor prac- 
tises his profession. He signed the Addresses to Hutchinson and 
Gage in 1774 and 1775, and was proscribed in 1778, and went to 
England. At the General Council, which was full, as the General 
Court was sitting, Hutchinson had the confidence to nominate for 
Justices of the Peace, Geo. Bethune, Nat. Taylor, Ned Lloyd, Ben- 
jamin Gridley and Sam. Burnett, and inform the Board that they had 
all promised to take the oath. The Council had the pusillanimity to 
consent, by their silence at least, to the nominations. — John Adams's 
Works, xi. pp. 222-333. 

Gridley, General Richard, was born in Boston, 1711. Alter 
serving as an engineer at the reduction of Louisburg, in 1745, he 
entered the Army, as Colonel of infantry and Chief Engineer, in 1755. 
Under Winslow he was concerned in the expedition to Crown Pomt, 
1756, and constructed the fortifications on Lake George. He served 



556 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

under Amherst in 1758, and was with Wolfe on the Plains of Abra- 
ham the following year. At the commencement of the Revolution, he 
was appointed Chief Engineer, and skilfully laid out the works in forti- 
fication of Breed's Hill, the day before the battle of June 17, 1775, in 
which he was wounded. He died at Stoughton, June 20, 1796. 

Haraden, Captain. Among the naval exploits of the Revolution 
few could compare with those of Captain Jonathan Haraden, of Salem, 
commander of the Pickering, of one hundred tons, armed with sixteen 
six-pounders, and a crew of forty-five men and boys. He was born 
in Gloucester, Cape Ann, and came to Salem when a lad. 

Major Garden, in his "Anecdotes of the Revolution," says that 
" while cruising near Sandy Hook, Captain Haraden fell in with a 
ship of fourteen guns, a brig of ten guns, and a sloop of eight guns, 
and after an action of an hour and a half captured the whole ; and that 
during the same cruise he captured also the Pomona, of twelve guns, 
the sloop-of-war Hope, of fourteen guns, and the Royal George, cutter, 
of fourteen guns." 

In the spring of 1780 he sailed in the Pickering from Salem for 
Bilboa, as a letter of marque, and laden with a cargo of sugar and 
molasses. When near the coast of Spain, Captain Haraden fell in 
with and captured a privateer of twenty-two nine-pounders, and sixty 
men, and put a prize-crew on board under Jonathan Carnes as master, 
also of Salem, thereby reducing his crew to less than forty. He was 
still further weakened and embarrassed by having to take care of nearly 
twice that number of pi'isoners. About a week afterwards an English 
ship, mounting forty-two guns, with one hundred and forty men, came 
up with and recaptured the prize. Notwithstanding the disparity of 
force, Captain Haraden gave her battle, and after a desperate contest 
compelled her to seek safety in flight, which her superior sailing ena- 
bled her to do, when he deliberately retook his prize and carried her 
safely into port. Mr. Robert Cowan, of Salem, one of the crew, says 
the Pickering looked like a long-boat by the side of the ship. An 
immense concourse assembled on the Spanish coast to witness the fight, 
and so great was the enthusiasm and admiration with which the vic- 
tory had been witnessed, that when he landed he was surrounded by a 
vast throng of strangers, and carried by them in triumph to a populous 
city in the neighborhood, where he was welcomed with public honors. 
Another person who was with him in battle says that he fought with 
an energy and determination that seemed superhuman, and that al- 
though in the most exposed position, where the shot flew around him 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 557 

in thousands, he Avas all the while as calm and steady as amidst a 

shower of snow. 

The Pickering was afterwards fitted out as a privateer under the 
same commander. She mounted sixteen guns and was very success- 
ful In one of her cruises she came up with three armed vessels in 
company, bound from Halifax to New York. They formed in a line 
and made a formidable appearance. Great as was the confidence of 
the otficers and crew in the bravery and judgment of their captain, 
they evinced by their looks that they thought he was going to hazard 
too much ; upon which he told them he had no doubt that if they 
would do their duty he would quickly capture the three vessels ; and 
this he did with great ease, by going along-side of each of them, one 
after the other. The first was a sloop mounting twelve guns, the sec- 
ond a bri- of fourteen, and the third a ship of sixteen guns. 

On another occasion, while cruising near Bermuda, he was greatly 
annoyed by two sloops. They sailed very fast, and keeping near him, 
whenever he took a prize would retake her. But he was not to be 
foiled, and concluded to leave them by night, and when out of sight 
dropped his foretop-gallant-yard and mast, and otherwise disguised his 
vessel He soon fell in with them again ; they were soon in pursuit, 
and he put out drags. One overtook him and when so near as to pre- 
vent escape, opened his guns upon her and soon captured her Then 
placinathe British flag over the American on the Pickermg, the sloop, 
with the British ensign flying, bore down upon her consort and cap- 

tured her also. , ^ ,, ^ 

Captain Haraden captured more than a thousand guns from the 
ships of the enemy during the war. While volunteers upon the land 
who seldom met the foe, have been rewarded by pensions and grants 
of land, this volunteer upon the sea received no honors or rewards 

from Government. , 

Silver tankards and cans, with suitable emblems upon them, Avere 
presented to him by the owners of the Pickering, and are inscribed 
with the name of her invincible commander. • i ^^, 

Captain Haraden was of middle size, and of symme rical propor- 
tions, remarkable for personal beauty, as well as inflexible integrUy 
His Lmper was mild and manners gentle, but his firmness an eneigy 
were gloriously displayed in battle, and banished ^^^^ :^^'^'^^^^ 
of all under his command. At the close of the war Captam Men 
successfully embarked in commerce and the manufacture of coidage, 
and lived to witness the nuptials of two of his three children. 

47 * 



558 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

He died of protracted consumption in 1803, in his fifty-ninth year, 
and his fortitude and amiability were apparent to the hist moment of 
his valuable life. He was endeared by many virtues to an extensive 
circle of friends. 

Harrison, Gov. Benjamin, one of the Signers of the Declaration 
of Independence, was a native of Virginia, and graduated at the College 
of William and Mary. He commenced his political career as early as 
1764, in the Legislature of his native Colony. The Royal Government 
offered him a seat at the Council Board, a tempting bait for young 
ambition, which he had the resolution to refuse, as the measures of 
the Ministry were already unfriendly to the liberty of the Provinces ; 
and when the time came for active resistance to arbitrary power, he 
was ready for service. He was in the fii'st General Congress of 1774, 
and the three succeeding ones, and was particularly useful as Chairman 
of the Board of War. After his resignation in 1777, he was for three 
terms elected Speaker of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. He 
was elected Governor in 1782, and was twice reelected. He retired 
to private life in 1785, but in 1788 he became a member of the Con- 
vention which ratified the Constitution of the United States, and died 
in 1791. He Avas father of General William H. Harrison, late Pres- 
ident of the United States. 

Hartshorne, Thomas, son of Thomas and Abiah Hartshorne, 
died in Salem, May 6, 1819. He married, first, Tamar Flint, and sec- 
ondly, Abigail, daughter of Stephen Cleveland. No posterity. The 
following obituary notice is from the " Salem Gazette": — "He was a 
soldier in the old French war, and in the Revolution was a captain in 
the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Col. Michael Jack- 
son, and was in commission until peace, having early entered the ser- 
vice. The bravery of this regiment is sufficiently known, at the time 
when Arnold was wounded, and was then under command of General 
Gates, when Arnold entered with it the enemy's works just before 
the surrender of Burgoyne. Captain Hartshorne was a native of 
Reading, Massachusetts, and came to Salem soon after the peace of 
1783. He was an amiable and well-informed man ; exemplary abroad 
and affectionate at home ; faithful in his public trust at the Custom- 
House ; punctual in his promises, and a Christian in the benevolence 
of his temper. As deacon of the First Church he was an ornament to 
his office, having talents to adorn it and firmness to perform all its 
duties. The restraints of office were easy to him, as they were im- 
posed by his early habits, good manners, and sound understanding. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 559 

He had the confidence of his venerable pastor, Rev. Dr. Prince, and 

the esteem of his fellow-citizens." Captain Hartshorne was a mem- 

ber of the Society of Cincinnati. 

Hatch Nathaniel, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, born April 1, 

1723 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1742 ; and married Elizabeth 
fDavenport) Lloyd. He was one of the Commissioners of the Land 
Bank in 1763, and succeeded Judge Wells upon the Bench of Common 
pLas in 1771. He belonged to the Royahst party, and le t the country 
at the breaking out of the Revolution. ^^ ^^^^ ^ .^"f^f/Z^^^^^ ^• 
He signed the Address to Governor Hutchmson in 1/74, was in 
eluded in the Conspiracy Act of 1779, and in the Banishment Act of 

^'^hIwley, Joseph, of Northampton, Massachusetts, was born in / 
1724 was graduated at Yale College, and possessed strong natural 
powe'rs, imi^-oved by the study and practice of the law He -i y^m- 
barked in political life, and retired from the Assembly in 17/6, with 
an influence seldom equalled, obtained not less by his great talents 
than his unsullied and unimpeachable integrity. His opinions were 
followed almost implicitly, and the leaders in the Assembly despaired 
of carrying any measure to which he was opposed. At a time when 
tl e distx-estes of the war bad produced disaffection, and a faction was 
orc^anized in the western part of Massachusetts, in almost open i^.i.t- 
a^ce to the constituted authorities, he induced nearly all o sign a 
humble petition to Government, praying for an act of indemnity for the 
past, and promising future obedience. 

Major Hawley declined all honors and employment when his popu- 
larity was at the highest, and thus formed an examp e oi those pubh^ 
spkhed generous citizens, (ready to share the peril and decline the 
rfwa^,) w^^^ illustrate the idea of a commonwealth, and who, through 
Zobsi^ction of human passions and infirmities, being of rare occi.- 
rence, will always be the most admired and noble ornaments of a fiee 

'Tr'certainlya great man, and a thoroughly upright one ; a 
disinterested patriot, whose feelings and convictions were in beh f 
freedom. He closed his earthly career at Northampton, in 1788, at 

^'Viralml— n of civil affairs in the western counties during 

the early period of the Revolutionary struggle, presented some eccen- 

riciies which are noteworthy. The Convention of the Committees of 

sTfety arNorthampton, received a petition that one Mosely be released 

from jail. This petition underrates the power which the committees 



560 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

of the time possessed. The recognition of those committees was prac- 
tised by the courts themselves ; a fact well illustrated by an occur- 
rence in Greenfield. People in the vicinity of a thick forest on the 
east side of Fall River, in that town, had noticed a smoke rising above 
the trees. The Safety Committee of the town were notified of tlie fact, 
and repairing to the spot found a man named Harrington, who inhab- 
ited a kind of cave in which he had gathered all the tools necessary 
for counterfeiting. They conveyed him to Northampton, where they 
brought him before Judge Joseph Hawley. The Judge told the com- 
mittee that the jail was so full of Tories that it would hold no more, 
and advised them to take him into the pine-woods north of the town, 
and give him as many lashes as they thought best, and let him go. 
The sentence was executed ; three of the committee giving him light 
blows ; but the fourth believed that, in whipping, the lashes should be 
well laid on, and brought blood at every stroke. They then bathed 
his wounds with spirits, gave him to drink of the same, and after 
exacting of him a promise not to be seen in those parts again, let him 
go. He thanked them for their lenity and kept his pledge. 

Hev^'^es, Joseph, of North Carolina, as a member of Congress early 
patronized the celebrated John Paul Jones, and was ever his confiden- 
tial correspondent. It is to Mr. Hewes's discriminating judgment of 
character, in no small degree, that we owe the train of unsurpassed 
naval victories achieved by that hero ; for there was great opposition 
to his preferment, on the score of foreign birth and want of influential 
connections, which latter consideration had great weight at that period. 
Jones relied implicitly on Mr. Hewes, and in a letter says, " I will 
cheerfully abide by whatever you think right ; " and to him he referred 
the Hon. Robert Morris, respecting his claim for rank, who ever after 
was his friend. 

Hill, Rev. Abraham, of Shutesbury, was among those who were 
opposed to the patriot cause. His sentiments on this subject alienated 
him from his people so far that his connection with them was finally 
broken up, his church having become reduced to a solitary member. 
While it does not appear that any considerable number of the clergy 
of Hampshire County served as chaplains in the Revolutionary Army, 
many of them warmly espoused the American cause. Mr. Hill was 
born at Cambridge, and graduated at Harvard College in 1737 ; he 
was the pastor at Shutesbury from 1762 to 1778, when he was dis- 
missed. He died at Oxford, Massachusetts, June 8, 1788, aged sixty- 
nine. 

HiLLER, Major Joseph, was born in Boston, March 26, 1748, 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 561 

He was a son of Joseph and Hannah (Welsh) Hiller, of Boston, whose 
gravestones yet remain in King's Chapel Cemetery. He maiTied Mar- 
garet, daughter of Aaron Cleveland. He led an uniformed company, 
which marched from Salem on the day of the battle of Lexington, and 
was a Captain of Volunteers for the expedition against Rhode Island 
in 1778. He was Naval Officer of the port of Salem under the State 
Government in 1783, which office then comprised the duties of Collector 
of the Customs. His commission was signed by Governor Hancock ; 
and in 1789, at the commencement of Washington's Administration, he 
was appointed Collector of the United States for the district of Salem 
and Beverly, which office he retained throughout that and the suc- 
ceeding Administration with the highest credit and honor, and retired 
from it 12th August, 1802. He was an undeviating patriot in all the 
political vicissitudes of his countiy. He was distinguished in private 
life by an amiable, friendly, and benevolent disposition. He was 
elected Master of the Essex Lodge of Masons, March 30, 1780, and 
for several successive years. In 1791 he was reelected Master, and E. 
H. Derby, Jr., and Rev. Wm. Bentley, Wardens. In December, 1781, 
he delivered an admirable charge to the Lodge, which was printed and 
published. Wm. W. Oliver, Esq., the veteran Deputy- Collector of thir- 
ty-six years, says : " Major Hiller came to Salem in 1770, and served 
as Major in the Revolution. I always understood he was a good officer, 
and I know from experience that he was an honest man and a complete 
gentleman ; that he had a pleasant meeting with General Alexander 
Hamilton, at Newhall's Tavern, in Lynn, in the year 1800. As 
Secretary of the Treasury, he had to account to him for several 
years." 

After his retirement from public life Major Hiller i-emoved to Lan- 
caster, Massachusetts, where he passed many years in the bosom of 
his family, mutually devoted to the happiness of each other, and there 
closed his blameless and useful life, February 9th, 1814, aged sixty- 
six years. 

Major Hiller was the first American who received the doctrines 
enunciated by Emanuel Swedenborg. This fact was proved by an 
investigation pursued some ten years since by many of that persuasion, 
and the result of their labors was published in the " New Jerusalem 
Magazine." It had previously been supposed that a Mr. John Glen 
was the first receiver, but Mr. Glen was an Englishman who visited 
this country and openly advocated the doctrines. A full account of 
Mr. Glen and Major Hiller was embodied in the report published in 
the magazine referred to. 



562 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

In pui'suit of health, he accompanied his son-in-law, Captain Rich- 
ard J. Cleveland, (whose " Voyages " have given him a world-wide 
renown,) in the brig Star, to Africa, in 1808. This voyage was 
performed during the embargo, and by permission of the Government, 
in order to obtain the proceeds of the cargo of the schooner Hope. 
Lovell, late master, had died there, and the mate, of course, in 
command, undertook to dispose of the remaining portion of the 
outward cargo. Captain Cleveland found the schooner at Goree, and 
transshipped the return cargo, consisting of ivory, woods, gums, wax, 
and hides, to the Star, and arrived safely with it, July 7th, 1808, after 
an absence of only ninety-two days. Major Hiller's health was estab- 
lished by the voyage. His only son died unmarried, and his only sur- 
viving daughter, widow of the late William Cleveland, Esq., still 
survives. Her writings in early life are still sought after, and con- 
tinue to charm her numerous admirers. Other daughters were the 
wives of S. J. Prescott, Esq., and Edward S. Lang, Esq. 

Hodges, Benjamin, son of John and Mary (Manning) Hodges, of 
Salem, was born April 26th, 1754, married to Hannah King, Novem- 
ber 19th, 1778, and died at Salem, April 13th, 1806. Mr. Hodges 
was bred to the sea and early became a shipmaster. It was his good 
fortune to be a pioneer in the China trade, as we learn from Mr. Oliver, 
Deputy-Collector for thirty-six years. He was master and supercargo 
of the brig William Sf Henry, belonging to Wm. Gray and Wm. Orne, 
to Canton, in 1789, and returned to Salem, May 31st, 1790, with the 
first cargo of tea that paid duty from Canton. The brig was 166 tons 
burden; the duties amounted to $9,783.81. Two other tea ships, 
which belonged to Mr. E. H. Derby, the Astrea and Light-Horse, 
arrived the next month. The average of tea the three brought was 
242,000 pounds, and the aggregate of duties paid was $53,205.27. 
From ten other vessels from China to these States that year, the 
average was 181,000 pounds. The whole quantity of tea imported 
into the United States that year was 3,018,014 pounds; whole duty, 
$317,925.76. The duty from 6 to 45 cents, — averaging 10. The 
balance of the tea came via Europe. 

The following, from an obituary notice by his friend and pastor, the 
late Rev. Dr. Bentley, shows the high estimation in which he was 
held for his many virtues and public spirit. 

" He was descended from the primitive settlers of New England 
and the first planters of Salem. The first ancestor was distinguished 
by his naval service in the early commerce of the country. The 
education of Capt. Hodges was in the habits of his ancestors, for the 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 563 

sea service, and he soon attracted the notice which gave him the com- 
mand of the Grand Turk, so well known in the early history of the 
enterprising commercial spirit of Salem. 

" He was of fine person, of commanding aspect, and dignified man- 
ners. His success soon provided him the means of uniting uninter- 
rupted domestic happiness with his mercantile employments ; and he 
gave an uncommon example of all the virtues which can bless a family, 
and was rewarded with all the endearments which can enrich a friend, 
a husband, and a father. 

" His characteristic benevolence directed the choice of him as an 
Overseer of the Poor, and the high esteem he held in that office has 
received the full consent of men in every condition. When the East 
India Marine Society was formed, he was chosen and has continued 
its President ; and the reputation of that society will testify to the wis- 
dom of the appointment. Other societies chose him as their head, 
and every charitable institution confesses its obligations to him. The 
Essex Lodge was formed to its high character under him, and the 
religious society to which he belonged derived the greatest advantages 
from his example, his services, and his fatherly preference in all its 
affairs. Appeals were frequently made to his judgment on private 
and commercial concerns, and no dissensions in Church or State ren- 
dered his benevolence questionable. His prosperity was never inter- 
rupted but by the frequent loss of his children ; and he fell a victim 
to the same infirmity, which, in the fate of his children, had so often 
distressed him. His calmness of mind never forsook him, and the 
conference with his friends in his last hours was worthy of the char- 
acter in which he had appeared to the world. His death is univer- 
sally considered a public loss, and his memory will be dear to all who 
knew him." 

Of his children. Miss Hannah Hodges alone survived him. Mary 
was the wife of the late William Silsbee, Esq. ; from these there are 
many descendants. , 

HoLTOKE, Edwaed AUGUSTUS, M. D., LL. D., A. A. S., son of V 
President Holyoke, of Harvard College, was born August 13, 1728, and 
graduated in 1746. In 1755 he married Judith, daughter of Colonel 
Benjamin Pickman, of Salem ; and after her death, which occurred 
within the year, Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Viall, Esq., of Boston. 
" The period of the Revolution was a trying one to him, and he never 
loved to dwell upon the recollection of it; his feelings in the spring and 
summer of 1775 were intensely painful. In referring to that period, 
he said he thought he should have died with the sense of weight and 



564 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

oppression at his heart ; he had sent his family to Nantucket, and the 
loneliness of his home increased the feeling of desolation. Most of 
his intimate friends and near connections favored the Royal cause; 
and his own education had attached him to the established order of 
things, while his peaceful temper shrunk from the turmoil of a revo- 
lution. Although most distinguished men who had adopted the Royal 
cause found it expedient to leave the country, it does not appear that 
he was ever impeded in the prosecution of his professional business or 
studies for a single day. Once only he committed himself, by signing 
a complimentary Address to Governor Hutchinson, in common with a 
number of the most distinguished citizens of the town of Salem, when 
the Governor was about leaving the country. He afterwards felt 
himself obliged, as well as a number of his associates, to publish a 
sort of apology for this act ; which ' Recantation,' as it was called, 
contained nothing that was servile or disgraceful. He died March 31, 
1829, at the great age of one hundred years and seven months. 

" In deeds of piety and benevolence he was ever active, and his 
gifts were bestowed with the most scrupulous secrecy ; and, from his 
intimacy in the families of all classes, seldom misapplied." 

He had been a practising physician in Salem for seventy-nine 
years. On some days he made a hundred visits ; and at one period 
there was not a dwelling-house in Salem which he had not visited 
professionally. About fifty medical gentlemen of Boston and Salem 
gave him a public dinner on his centennial anniversary. Dr. Holyoke 
was one of the founders of the Amei'ican Academy of Arts and Sci- 
ences, and of the Salem Athenaeum and Essex Historical Society. In 
his relation to these institutions, as well as in his philosophic taste and 
benevolent character, he was indeed the Franklin of Salem. No man 
perhaps ever lived so long in any community as he did here, the ob- 
ject of such constant and affectionate veneration. The lamented 
Judge White, in his Address at the Dedication of Plummer Hall, 
said, he was not less remarkable for true dignity than for his winning 
kindness and courteous manners. In his whole character he was 
genuine. I have known him in many different positions, but in none 
where he did not appear a model character ; a model for imitation 
as a gentleman, a scholar, a Christian, a philanthropist. It is right 
and just that we should honor his memory, and important that young 
students, who aspire, as he did in his youth, to wisdom, learning, and 
all excellence, should know his character and the virtues and qualities 
which gave him his eminent success, — all which are within their 
reach. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 555 

Hooper, Hon. Robert, of Marblehead, was a stanch adherent 
of royalty, as his cognomen denoted. He rose from abject poverty to 
apparently inexhaustible wealth. He engrossed for years a large part 
of the fishing business, — very extensive previous to the Revolution. 
He exported the fish to Spanish ports, receiving specie in return. He 
became a Councillor by writ of Mandamus. At his splendid house 
in Danvers, afterwards Collins, he entertained Govei-nor Gage for 
some time in 1774. He ke[)t a princely chariot to ride in, and was 
generally known as " King Hooper." He seems not to have known 
the state of his affairs, and died insolvent in 1790. 

His son Robert was born February 9, 1747, graduated at Harvard 
College in 1765, and died at Marblehead, April 23, 1784. 

Of his son Joseph, we gave an account in former editions of this 
work. 

HovET,^ Rev. Ivory, was born at Topsfield, near Salem, Mas- 
sachusetts, on the 3d of July, 0. S., 1714. He graduated at Harvard 
College in 1735, in the class of Mr. Curwen. He studied theology, 
and was settled at Mattapoiset, a parish of Rochester, Massachusetts, 
in 1740. He left that place in 1765, and was soon after resettled in 
a parish of Plymouth, where he passed the remainder of an unusu- 
ally long and useful life. He married, in 1739, Olive, daughter of 
Captain Samuel Jordan, of Biddefoi'd, Maine, who survived him a 
few months. Mr. Hovey was able to continue his ministerial labors 
till a few days before his death, which took place on the 4th of No- 
vember, 1803, in the ninetieth year of his age. It is remarked by Dr. 
Alden, (from whose Collection these particulars are obtained,) that, 
for some time before his decease, Mr. Hovey "was but the third 
among the living of his Alma Mater." He probably outlived all of 
his classmates, although he survived Mr. Curwen by only eighteen 
months. 

" For sixty-five years before his death," says Alden, " Mr. Hovey 
kept a journal, in which those things designed for his own particular 
use were penned in a short hand, as is said, of his own invention. This 
journal, closely written, amounts to the astonishing number of seven 
thousand octavo pages." The same author publishes an excellent letter 
of great length, addressed by Mr. Hovey to a young candidate for the 
ministry, written twelve days only before his death. 

1 See above, pp. 460, 461, where it is mentioned as uncertain whether this classmate 
of Mr. Curwen was living in 1795. The present notice of Mr. Hovey has been pre- 
pared since that part of the work was printed. 

48 



566 BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Howe, General Sir William, brother of Richard, Earl Howe, 
was the successor of General Gage in command of the British forces 
in America. He first arrived at Boston in May, 1775, with General 
Burgoyne, and commanded in the battle of Bunker Hill ; he took 
possession of New York in September, 1776 ; and was one of the 
Commissioners to offer terms of peace. In July, 1777, Sir William 
sailed for the Chesapeake, and entered Philadelphia, September 27 ; 
he defeated the Americans on the 4th of October, same year, at 
German town. In May, 1778, he was succeeded by General Clinton. 
In the House of Commons, in December, same year, when assigning 
his reasons for quitting his command in America, he particularly 
blamed Lord Sackville, (formerly Lord George Germaine,) the Min- 
ister, for not sending reinforcements, nor cooperating in his plans ; 
and in the January following, Lord Sackville, if he was the author of 
the letter to Admiral Howe, returned the invective. He published a 
second edition of his narrative relative to his command, in 1780 ; he 
died in 1814. General Charles Lee said: "Howe was the most in- 
dolent of mortals, and never took pains to examine the merits or 
demerits of the cause in which he was engaged. That the King and 
Parliament formed the supreme power ; that supreme power is abso- 
lute and uncontrollable, and, consequently, all resistance rebellion ; 
that he was a soldier, and bound to obey in all cases whatever : these 
were his notions, and this his logic. He was naturally good-natured, 
and as an executive soldier all fire and activity ; brave as Caesar. 
His understanding good, but confounded by the immensity of the task 
imposed upon him." 

Howe, Lord Admiral Earl, was born in 1725, and on the death 
of his brother, the General, succeeded to his title and estate. He com- 
manded the British fleet which arrived at Staten Island, July 12, 
1776, and was named in the commission to offer proposals of peace. 
In July, 1777, he convoyed the two hundred and seventy transports 
in which the army sailed from New York to the Chesapeake. He 
repaired to Newport in the winter as a safe harbor ; which place he 
relieved on the oOth August, 1778, when threatened by the Ameri- 
cans and French, by arriving from New York with a hundred sail of 
ships. In September he resigned the command to Admiral Gambler. 
On the 1st of June, 1794, he obtained a victory over the French, and 
died August 5, 1799. Lord Howe was the brother of General Howe 
who fell in the attack on Ticonderoga in 1758, "in whom," said 
Mante, " the soul of the army seemed to expire ; " and to commemorate 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 567 

whom the Province of Massachusetts Bay caused a monument to be 
erected in Westminster Abbey. 

Hutchinson, Goveknok. Thomas, (son of Colonel Thomas Hutch- V 
inson, a member of the Council who seized the famous pirate Kidd when 
he resisted the officers sent to arrest him,) was graduated at Harvard 
College in 1727. He at first embarked in commercial pursuits, then 
studied the common law of England and the principles of her consti- 
tution. He was elected for ten consecutive years to the Assembly of 
Massachusetts, and for three years was Speaker. He succeeded his 
uncle, Edward Hutchinson, as Judge of Probate, in 1752. He was a 
member of the Council from 1749 to 1766 ; Lieut.-Governor from 1758 
to 1771. On the death of Judge Sewall, in 1760, he was apjiointed 
Chief Justice ; all which offices he filled with distinguished ability. 
" His oratory charmed beyond that of Any man ; there was equal fluen- 
cy and pathos in his manner ; he could be argumentative and smooth ; 
he was active, diligent, and plausible ; and, upon all occasions seemed 
to be influenced by public spirit more than selfish considerations. His 
respect to religious institutions, his sympathy with the distressed, his 
aflTability, integrity, industry, and talents, procured in a very high degree 
the public confidence." In 1767 he was appointed one of the Commis- 
sioners for settling the boundary with New York ; and, amidst all the 
vituperations against him, Massachusetts has cause to remember with 
gratitude that his advice only prevented the other Commissioners, Han- 
cock, Ilanly, and Brattle, from abandoning the claim to the Western 
Territory of New York, which was retained and sold for a large 
sum. 

On the departure of Governor Bernard in 1769, the administration 
devolved on Lieut.-Governor Hutchinson; and in March, 1771, he 
received his commission as Governor, just as he had concluded to advise 
the Government that it would be desirable for him to remain Chief Jus- 
tice, and pass his days in peace. Unhappily for himself he accepted 
the appointment, and from this time till his departure, in 1774, he was 
constantly in dispute with the Council and Assembly. Among the sub- 
jects of controversy was the provision made for his support by the 
Crown. By his speech of Jan. 6, 1773, asserting the supreme author- 
ity of Parliament, he provoked a discussion by the Council and House 
which bad better never been uttered ; and the Minister recommended 
him not to renew the discussion. His views he at all times candidly 
and manfully explained to the Legislature, in many speeches and mes- 
sages which display his learning, temper, and abilities. 

The confidential letters written by him and others to Mr. Whately, 



568 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

a former member of Parliament, in opposition to the Ministry, which 
caused so much excitement in 1772, were procured by Dr. Franklin, 
through Mr. Temple, (afterwards Consul-General to the United States,) 
from Mr. Whately's executor, and caused a duel between the two 
latter. Dr. Franklin sent them to Mr. Cooper, with an injunction that 
they should not be copied or published ; of which restriction the Doctor 
remarked, that "as distant objects seen only through a mist appear 
larger, the same may happen from the mystery in this case." In this 
state they remained six or eight months, and finally were communi- 
cated to the Legislature in secret session. In the letters was no senti- 
ment the Governor had not avowed in his public addresses. All that 
was objected to, and for which the Council reproached him, was the 
following : — "I never think of the measures necessary for the peace 
and good order of the Colonies without pain ; there must be an abridg- 
ment of what are called English liberties. I doubt whether it is 
possible to project a system of government, in which a Colony three 
thousand miles distant shall enjoy all the liberty of the parent State." 
For this the Council and Assembly voted an Address for his removal ; 
and at a hearing before the Privy Council of his friends, Mr. Manduit 
and Mr. Wedderburne, on his behalf, the decision was in favor of " the 
honor, integrity, and conduct of the Governor." 

In an unpublished letter of John Adams to Colonel Joseph Ward, 
dated Quincy, Oct. 24, 1809, he says : — " If I was the witch of Endor, 
I would wake the ghost of Hutchinson, and give him absolute power 
over the currency of the United States and every part of it ; provided 
always, that he should meddle with nothing but currency. As little 
as I revere his memory, I will acknowledge that he understood the 
subject of coin and commerce better than any man I ever knew in this 
country. He was a merchant, and there can be no scientific merchant 
without a perfect knowledge of the theory of a medium of trade. It will 
be in vain to talk of public credit, until we return to a pure, unmixed 
circulation of standard gold and silver. There can never be a govern- 
ment of laws in money matters, without a fixed philosojihical and 
mathematical standard. Contracts can never be inviolable without a 
stable standard." 

Governor Hutchinson deserves great honor for his labors in regard 
to the " History of Massachusetts," which he published from its first 
settlement to the year 1760. In so high estimation was it held, that, 
at the expiration of more than half a century after its publication, 
successful efforts were made by the most influential persons there to 
obtain the unpublished part of this history, which they pronounced 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 559 

" a ivork of inestimable value, resting on the solid basis of utility and 
truth ; the accuracy and fidelity of which was universally felt and 
acknowledged:'' These efforts of the government of Harvard Colleo-e, 
the Historical Society, of Judge Davis, Governor Gore, Dr. Kiikland, 
Dr. Lowell, and the Hon. James Savage, who secured the private 
circulation of five hundred copies before publication, and whose senti- 
ments on the leading subject are at variance with those of its author, 
are proud testimonials of the character of Governor Hutchinson in 
the field of his labors and sacrifices, and amidst the descendants of his 
political opponents. 

Governor Hutchinson died at Brompton, near London, June 3, 1780, 
aged sixty-nine, and was buried at Croydon. 

In the posthumous volume of Governor Hutchinson's History of 
Massachusetts,^ he says : — " Mr. Hancock's name has been sounded 
through the world as a principal actor in this tragedy. He was a 
young man, whose father and grandfather were ministers in country 
parishes, of irreproachable characters, but, like country ministers in 
New England in general, of small estates. His father's brother, from 
a bookseller became one of the most opulent merchants in the Province ; 
he had raised a great estate with such rapidity that it was commonly 
believed among the vulgar that he had purchased a valuable diamond 
for a small sum and sold it at its full price. But the secret lay in his 
imjwrting from St. Eustatia great quantities of tea in molasses hogs- 
heads, which sold at a very great advance ; and by importing, at 
the same time, a few chests from England, he freed the rest from sus- 
picion, and always had the I'eputation of a fair trader. He was also 
concerned in supplying the officers of the army, ordnance, and navy, 
and made easy and advantageous remittances ; when he died, he left 
to his nephew more than fifty thousand pounds sterling, besides the 
reversion, after the death of his widow, of twenty thousand more. The 
uncle was always on the side of Government ; the nephew's ruling 
passion was a fondness for popular applause. He changed the course 
of his uncle's business, and built and employed in trade a great num- 
ber of ships ; and in this way, and by building at the same time several 
houses, he found work for a great number of tradesmen, made himself 
popular, was chosen selectman, representative, moderator of town- 
meetings, etc. He associated with those who were called Friends of 
Liberty. His natural powers were moderate, and had been very little 
improved by study or application to any kind of science. His ruling 

1 Published in 1828. 
48* 



570 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

passion kept him from ever losing sight of its object, but he was fickle 
and inconstant in the means of pursuing it ; and though, for the most 
part, he was closely attached to Mr. Samuel Adams, he has repeatedly 
broken off from all connection with him for several months together. 
Partly by inattention to his private affairs, and partly from want of 
judgment, he became greatly involved and distressed ; and the estate 
was lost with much greater rapidity than it had been acquired." 

President Quincy, in his invaluable "History of Harvard University," 
has devoted a chapter to the wrongs which that institution suffered at 
the hands of Mr. Hancock as its Treasurer, and closes the detail, as 
follows : — " From respect to the high rank which John Hancock 
attained among the patriots of the American Revolution, it would 
have been grateful to have passed over in silence his long denial of 
the rights of the College, and withholding its property, had truth and 
fidelity of history permitted. But justice to a public institution which 
he essentially embarrassed during a period of nearly twenty years, and 
also to the memory of those whom he made to feel and to suffer, requires 
that these records of unquestionable facts, which, at the time when they 
occurred, were the cause of calumny and censure to honorable men, 
actuated in their measures solely by a sense of ofiicial fidelity, should 
not be omitted. In republics, popularity is the form of power most 
apt to corrupt its possessor, and to tempt him, for party ends or per- 
sonal interest, to trample on right or set principle at defiance. History 
has no higher or more imperative duty to perform, than by an unyield- 
ing fidelity to impress this class of men with the apprehension that, 
although through fear or favor they may escape the animadversions 
of contemporaries, there awaits them in her impartial record the retri- 
bution of truth." 

President Quincy also says of him : — " His manners were full of 
suavity and attraction ; his love of place and popularity intense. He 
early joined the patriotic party, whose leaders perceived the advantage 
of placing him at their head, and giving him every distinction they 
could command. By the continued influence of these possessions, 
manners, and circumstances, he acquired a popular power, which in 
this country has scarcely been exceeded." 

" The style of living he adopted, and the openness of his hand to 
every object coinciding with his views or his interests, kept his ample 
resources in a perpetual state of exhaustion. It suited both his interest 
and policy to postpone debts and gratify friends." 

Of another distinguished patriot of the Revolution, Governor Hutch- 
inson, in the posthumous volume already quoted, says : — " Mr. Samuel 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 571 

Adams's father had been one of the Directors of the Land Bank in 
1741, which was dissolved by an Act of Parharaent. After his decease 
his estate was put up for sale by public auction, under authority of an 
Act of the General Assembly. The son first made himself conspicuous 
on this occasion. He attended the sale, threatened the sheriff to bring 
an action against him and all who should attempt to enter upon the 
estate under pretence of a purchase ; and by intimidating both the 
sheriff and those who intended to purchase, he prevented the sale, 
kept the estate in his possession, and the debt to the Land Company 
remains unsatisfied. He was afterwards Collector of Taxes for the 
town of Boston, and made a defalcation which caused an additional 
tax upon the inhabitants. These things were unfavorable to his char- 
acter, but the determined spirit he showed in the cause of liberty 
would have covered a multitude of such faults. He was for near 
twenty years a writer against Government in the public newspapers, 
at first but an indifferent one ; long practice caused him to arrive at 
great perfection, and to acquii e a talent of artfully and fallaciously 
insinuating into the minds of his readers a prejudice against the char- 
acters of all whom he attacked, beyond any other man I ever knew. 
This talent he employed in the messages, remonstrances, and resolves 
of the House of Representatives, most of which were of his compo- 
sition, and he made more converts to his cause by calumniating gov- 
ernors and other servants of the Crown than by strength of reasoning. 
The benefit to the town from his defence of their liberties, he supposed 
an equivalent to his arrears as their Collector ; and the prevailing prin- 
ciple of his party, that the end justified the means, probably quieted 
the remorse he must have felt from robbing men of their characters, 
and injuring them more than if he had robbed them of their estates." 
The same writer has the following notice of still another eminent 
leader of the Revolution : — " Mr. John Adams, a distant relation and 
acquaintance of Mr. Samuel Adams. After his education at the Col- 
lege, he applied himself to the study of the law, a short time before 
the troubles began. He is said to have been at a loss which side to 
take. Mr. Sewall, who was with the Government, would have per- 
suaded him to be on the same side, and promised him to desire Gov- 
ernor Bernard to make him a Justice of the Peace. The Governor 
took time to consider of it, and having, as Mr. Adams conceived, not 
taken proper notice of him, or given him offence on some former occa- 
sion, he no longer deliberated, and ever after joined in opposition. As 
the troubles increased he increased in knowledge, and made a figure, 
not only in his own profession, but as a patriot, and was generally 



572 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

esteemed as a person endowed with more knowledge than his kinsman, 
and equally zealous in the cause of liberty ; but neither his business 
nor his health would admit of that constant application to it which 
distinguished the other from all the rest of the Province. In general, 
he may be said to be of stronger resentment upon any real or supposed 
personal neglect or injury than the other, but in their resentment 
against such as opposed them in the cause in which they were engaged, 
it is difficult to say which exceeded. His ambition was without bounds, 
and he has acknowledged to his acquaintance that he could not look 
with complacency upon any man who was in possession of more wealth, 
more honors, or more knowledge than himself" 

Jones, Admiral John Paul. It has been the fate of many distin- 
guished men to live unappreciated by their contemporaries, and to 
have their merits acknowledged only very tardily, even by the poster- 
ity w-hom their exertions have most largely benefited. Amongst these, 
and in a conspicuous niche, we would place Admiral John Paul Jones. 
Born in the peaceful ranks of an agriculturist, he raised himself at 
an early age to the highest grade of his adopted profession, and as a 
Captain in the infant Navy of the United States, performed such deeds 
of valor as to draw from the immortal Washington the singularly 
strong compliment that " his achievements had commanded the ad- 
miration of the world." 

From peculiar circumstances his enemies were enabled to place his 
character in a very false position before the public, and to deprive 
him during his lifetime of that high appreciation which his conduct 
and services so justly merited. The following short sketch of his life 
is derived from the most authentic sources, and will, we trust, have 
some effect in clearing away the clouds of calumny which have so long 
hung over his memory. 

About twenty years ago, accident placed in our possession a large 
collection of original papers, consisting of letters and other documents, 
both of a public and private character, that had belonged to this cele- 
brated man. On perceiving their importance in an historical point of 
view, we did not hesitate to put them into the hands of a popular 
writer,^ in the full expectation, not however destined to be realized, 
that he would use them in vindication of the memory of our hero in his 
then forthcoming work, " The Naval History of the United States." 
This opportunity having been neglected, it falls to our lot now to repair, 
in as far as lies in our power, the mistake we committed in our original 
disposition of these valuable papers. 

1 J. Fennimore Cooper. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 573 

Admiral John Paul Jones was the son of John Paul, a respectable 
farmer in the parish of Kirkbean, in the south of Scotland. He was 
born in the year 1747, and being of an enterprising disposition, he 
went to sea at a very eariy age. His character for talent, integrity, 
and good conduct was such that we find him, before he was eighteen 
years old, in command of a vessel to the West Indies. 

In this employ he continued for some years, until, in suppressing a 
mutiny, he so wounded one of his seamen as to cause his death. For 
this he was tried and honorably acquitted in the port in the West 
Indies where it occurred ; but on his return to England he experienced 
so much persecution on account of it as to induce him to leave that 
country forever, and to seek refuge in Virginia, which he had previ- 
ously visited, and where he had a brother already permanently settled. 
In the year 1774 this brother died and bequeathed him considerable 
property. Having thus become a landed proprietor, he felt entirely 
attached to Virginia as his country and his home, — and when the 
difficuUies commenced with England, he did not hesitate to attach him- 
self to the side of the Colonies, and to make them an offer of his ser- 
vices. 

His friends, Mr. Eobert Morris and Mr. Hughes, members of Con- 
gress, and General Jones, of North Carolina, knowing his value, recom- 
mended him strongly, and he was immediately appointed a senior 
First Lieutenant of the Navy. Feeling himself under particular obli- 
gations to General Jones for his kindness, he assumed that gentleman's 
name, and ever afterwards called and signed himself John Paul 

Jones. 

After a cruise in the Alfred, of twenty-eight guns, he was, m 
February, 1776, placed in command of the Providence, of twelve 
guns. With this vessel, in the short space of six weeks, he captured 
no less than sixteen merchantmen, and completely destroyed the fishing 
establishment at Isle Madame. He fought the Solebay, of twenty- 
eight guns, for several hours, and on two separate occasions encoun- 
tered the Milford of thirty-two guns. 

On the 10th of October, 1776, he received his commission as a Cap- 
tain, and was appointed to command the Alfred, in which he destroyed 
the fisheries at Port Royal, and captured all the vessels there, with 
their freights on board, bound to Europe. 

Next year he was appointed to the Ranger, of eighteen guns, 
with which he proceeded to Europe, and on the 2d of February, 1778, 
at Brest, received from Count D'Orvilliers the first salute ever paid 
to the American flag by a foreign man-of-war. In April, of the same 



574 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

year, he sailed against Whitehaven, scaled the walls of the fort, and 
spiked the cannon, thirty-eight in number. Shortly afterwards he 
landed at St. Mary's Isle, the seat of the Earl of Selkirk, and the 
crew having plundered the house of the plate, Jones bought it from 
them and returned it. A pleasing correspondence took place in con- 
sequence between the parties, in which the Earl and the Countess both 
expressed their high sense of his honorable conduct on the occasion. 
Their letters ought to have been sufficient to refute all the calumnies of 
which the malicious and distorted accounts of this transaction were the 
fruitful source, and which were eagerly seized on by his enemies to do 
him injury. 

While on the English coast, the Drake, of twenty guns, was sent 
out against him. This vessel, though of superior force, he promptly 
engaged and captured, in the sight of an immense concourse of people 
assembled on the shore to see him taken, as the commander of the 
Drake had promised, before he went out, would soon be the case. 
He carried his prize into Brest, where he- became involved in a variety 
of difficulties for want of money to pay his crew and support his pris- 
oners. In addition, he had the mortification to find that the Indien 
frigate, which had been destined for him, was made over to France, 
because the American Commissioners had not the means for her com- 
pletion. 

The Ranger was sent back to America under the command of a 
lieutenant ; and Jones himself was detained in France to take com- 
mand of a squadron, which, it was promised, would soon be ready for 
him. The vacillating policy of the French Ministry and the jealousy 
of their naval officers caused the delay of a year, during which Jones 
employed himself in planning expeditions and urging them on the 
attention of the Government. In one of these the Marquis Lafayette 
proposed to accompany him with a large body of troops, but none were 
adopted, — the French Ministry being probably too much occupied with 
other matters to attend to them, or perhaps thinking them too bold and 
daring in their conception, to be likely to be attended with success in 
execution. 

While at Brest, brooding over the dilatoriness of the French Gov- 
ernment, chance threw in his way a copy of " Poor Richard's Maxims," 
by Dr. Franklin. The first sentence that caught his eye on opening 
the book was one saying, " If you wish your business faithfully and 
expeditiously executed, go and do it yourself; if otherwise, send." 
This struck him as so peculiarly applicable to himself that he imme- 
diately set out for Paris, where he found that his personal attendance 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 575 

was alone wanting to carry the instructions of the Government into 
effect, and to complete the equipment of a squadron of five vessels of 
war to be placed under his command. 

These were the Alliance, thirty-six, Pallas, thirty, Ceres, eighteen, 
Vengeance, eighteen, and his own ship, the Duras, of forty guns. 
This last he called the Bon Homme Richard, in honor of the author 
of the " Maxims," by which he had on this occasion been so much ben- 
efited. She was an old East Indiaman, nearly unfit for service, as is 
evident from the following extract of a letter from Jones to Dr. Frank- 
lin : " We have inspected the Bon Homme Richard, and it is the 
constructor's opinion that she is too old to admit of the necessary 
alterations. Thus circumstanced, I wish for an opportunity of attempt- 
ing an essential service to render myself wortliy of a better and a faster- 
sailing ship." 

On the 14th of August, 1779, Jones left L'Oi'ient with his squad- 
ron and a heterogeneous crew, to intercept the Baltic fleet. Owing to 
the desertion of part of the squadron, and the bad conduct of the Alli- 
ance, he could only capture the convoy, consisting of the Serapis, of 
fifty guns, and the Countess of Scarborough, of twenty. He himself, in 
the Bon Homme Richard, encountered the Serapis, and took her after 
one of the most severe and proportionably sanguinary fights ever re- 
corded. The English Commodore, Pearson, who commanded the Ser- 
apis, gives the following account of the situation of the Bon Homme 
Richard after the action, in his official despatches : " Her counters 
were entirely driven in, and the lower deck guns all dismounted ; she 
was on fire in two places, with seven feet of water in the hold, and 306 
men killed and wounded, out of a crew of 380." The Bon Homme 
Richard sunk soon after the crew abandoned her. 

Commodore Jones carried his prizes into the Texel, and when he 
appeared on the Amsterdam Exchange he was styled the " Terror of 
England," — rather a high sounding title, it must be confessed, but 
sufficiently indicative of the admiration which his conduct and bravezy 
had elicited even from the phlegmatic Dutchmen. 

While in Holland, he succeeded, in despite of the diplomatic exer- 
tion of Sir Joseph Yorke, the British Ambassador, in engaging the 
States General in the war with England. 

On his return to France his reception was most enthusiastic, and 
Louis XVI. invested him with the order of military merit, and pre- 
sented him with a sword of honor. 

On his return to America, a gold medal was ordered by Congress to 



576 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

be struck in honor of his achievements, and by a unanimous vote of 
that august body he was appointed to the command of the America, a 
line-of-battle ship of seventy-four guns, then being built at Portsmouth, 
N. H., and the only vessel of her class at that time in our infant navy. 
The fates, however, again interfered to prevent him from having the 
command of a ship suited to his merits ; for after he had superin- 
tended her construction, and made her, as he states in his correspon- 
dence, the most perfect vessel of her class in the world, Congress 
deemed themselves called on to present the America to France, in lieu 
of the Magnifique, lost in our waters. 

Thus disappointed, and in pursuance of the recommendation of Con- 
gress, he joined the fleets of D'Estaing and D'Orvilliers. 

In the year 1786 he was appointed by Congress its Agent to Den- 
mark and Sweden, to obtain an indemnity for the prizes taken under 
his command into their ports, and delivered over by them to the 
enemy. 

Soon after this he was induced, by the advice of Mr. Jefferson, then 
our Minister at Pai'is, to enter the Russian naval service. The nego- 
tiations which had been very ably opened by him at Copenhagen and 
Stockholm were transferred to Paris, and finally brought to a satis- 
factory conclusion. He entered the service of her Imperial Majesty 
with the rank of Rear-Admiral, and in an action against the Turks in 
the Liman Sea, on the 7th of June, 1788, he so distinguished himself 
as to be immediately promoted to the rank of Vice- Admiral, and to 
receive from the hands of the Empress the decoration of the illustrious 
order of St. Ann. 

Notwithstanding his success, the slanderous calumnies of his ene- 
mies reached him even here, and acting on a mind of acute sensibility, 
so embittered his days, as to induce him to resign his command and 
return to Paris, where his varied and eventful career was brought to 
a final close by his death, at the early age forty-five years, on the 
12th September, 1792. 

The National Assembly of France decreed a public funeral and 
mourning on the melancholy occasion. A deputation from that body 
attended, and M. Maroon, an eloquent orator, was appointed to pro- 
nounce his funeral oration, which closes in the following words : — 

" Imitate him in his contempt of danger, in his devotedness to his 
adopted country, in his noble heroism, which, after having been the 
astonishment of the present generation, must continue to be the im- 
perishable object of the veneration of future ages." 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 577 

His remains were deposited in a leaden coffin, the more easily to be 
removed in case they should be claimed by our Government. This, 
however, was never done, and, more ungrateful still, Congress have 
never liquidated the just claim put forward by his present representa- 
tive, George L. Lowden, Esq., a grandnephew of Admiral Jones, for 
disbursements actually made by him, which, with interest, amount to 
about $60,000. This appears the more unjust, as his services to the 
country were gratuitous.^ 

A short time before his death, he was appointed by President 
"Washington, Mr. Jefferson being then Secretary of State, Commis- 
sioner to Algiers, for the purpose of redeeming from captivity the 
American citizens who were confined in the dungeons of that barbar- 
ous power. It is not known whether the news of this appointment 
reached Paris in time to relieve, in some degree, the gloom which 
hung over the latter days of his life ; but that it was made is sufficient 
evidence of the high estimate which our eminent patriots and states- 
men had formed of his character and abilities. 

We have thus brought to a close our imperfect sketch of the history 
of this extraordinary man. In his character were found all the ten- 
derness and sensibility of a woman united to the courage and daring 
of a hero. To the latter may be attributed the many victories he 
achieved ; while in the former we recognize the source of that ex- 
quisite sensitiveness, which enabled the calumnies of his enemies to 
inflict such rankling wounds on his happiness as embittered his whole 
existence, and finally brought him to an early grave. 

In the account between him and the United States, there is, we are 
sorry to say, a fearful balance against our country. To our cause he 
freely devoted his talents, his fortune, and his life. With his own 
hands he hoisted the Star-Spangled Banner on board of the Alfred, in 
the Delaware, the first time it ever floated to the breeze. At the 
mast-head of a ship under his command, it received its first national 
salute from a foreign power. Fighting under its folds he was the first 
to cause the meteor flag of England to strike before it ; and on the 
very coasts of Britain, in defiance of the proudest navy in the world, 
he caused the astonished enemies of America to quail beneath his 
prowess. And what was his reward ? Neglect while living, and for- 
getfulness when dead. '•'•Done to death hy tongues of eninou& men" no 
one of all those in whose cause he fought and bled have, as yet, thought 
fit to do public justice to his memory. And his heir is even obliged 

1 The claim was liquidated and paid by Congress the next year. 
49 



578 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

to sustain a heavy pecuniary loss in consequence of his actual disburse- 
ments on account of the United States. 

[The above is taken from a " Lecture upon the Life and Exploits of 
Admiral Jones," delivered by the editor before the Mercantile Li- 
brary Association, Clinton Hall, New York, January 2, 1844.] 

Knyphausen, Lieutenant-General, the Baron, commander of 
the Hessian troops in the British service during the Revolution. For 
a while he was stationed on Staten Island where he erected a fort 
which bears his name. In June, 1780, he made an incursion into 
New Jersey with five thousand men ; landing at Elizabethtown he 
proceeded to Connecticut Farms, where he burned thirteen houses and 
the church. Being reinforced, he repulsed the Americans near 
Springfield, and burned the town, consisting of thirty houses. Bril- 
liant exploits for a Lieutenant-General and Baron. He died at Ber- 
lin, Prussia, in June, 1789, aged fifty-nine. — Allen's Biographical 
Dictionary. 

Lee, Charles, a Major-General in the American Army, was bom 
in Dunhall, Cheshire, England, in 1731. He was youngest son of 
John Lee, Colonel of the Forty-Fourth Regiment in the British 
service- 
He was, on June 17, 1775, appointed 2d Major-General, ranking 
after Artemas Ward ; in company with Washington, he arrived at 
the camp at Cambridge, and formally entered the service. "A soldier 
of fortune," says Irving, " indifferent to the ties of home and country, 
drawing his sword without enthusiasm, more through resentment 
against a government which had disappointed him, than zeal for lib- 
erty or for colonial rights." 

He seems to have been governed by one purpose, and animated by 
one spirit, — a spirit of anything but patriotism, — a purpose to grat- 
ify his own ambition at any cost. 

From a recently discovered document in Lee's handwriting, in- 
dorsed by Henry Strachy, Secretary to the Royal Commissioners, 
Lord and Sir William Howe, as " Mr. Lee's Plan," it appears that on 
March 29, 1777, he submitted to the British commander a project for 
the conquest of America. 

For the disparaging manner in which he spoke of Washington, he 
was challenged by Col. Laurens, one of the latter's aides, and was 
wounded in the side by a pistol ball in the duel which ensued. 

At Monmouth, by his wilful conduct in ordering a retreat against 
the express command of Washington, the day was nearly lost. The 
verdict of the court-martial, convened to examine into his conduct at 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 579 

Monmouth, found him guilty of writing disrespectful letters to Wash- 
ington, and sentenced him to suspension from any command in the 
army for one year. 

The term of his suspension had just expired, when a rumor reached 
him that Congress designed to deprive him of his commission ; in a 
sudden tit of anger he despatched to the President of that body an 
insulting note, the result of which was his immediate dismissal from 
the service. 

He directed in his will that his body should not be interred in any 
church or church-yard, or within a mile of any Presbyterian or Ana- 
baptist meeting-house ; " for since I have resided in this country, I 
have kept so much bad company while living, that I do not choose to 
continue in it when dead." — Irving' s Washington, Vol. III. p. 447. 

He was called by the British the " American Palladium." He 
died 2d Oct., 1782, aged fifty-one years. 

" The evil that men do lives after them." 

It is understood that Lee, Gates, and Conway entered into a con- 
spiracy to supplant Washington as Commander-in-Chief Conway 
challenged the pater-patrice to a duel ; Cadwallader, an aide to Wash- 
ington, accepted the challenge, and severely wounded Conway. The 
conduct of these men shows that it is unsafe to trust foreigners to bat- 
tle against their own countrymen. 

Lee, William R. Col. Lee was born in Manchester, Massachu- 
setts, where he passed his early days, and came with his uncle, Jere- 
miah Lee, to Marblehead, where they became largely engaged in trade. 
The nephew passed much time at Nantucket, New Bedford, &c., in 
purchasing oil for the European markets. 

Distinguished for zeal in the cause of liberty, at the breaking out 
of the war of the Revolution he obtained the appointment of Major 
in Col. Glover's regiment, and afterwards became a Lieutenant- 
Colonel. 

Col. Lee was offered the Adjutant-Generalship of the Army by Gen- 
eral Washington, after Col. Pickering felt obliged to decline it, being 
at the time Judge of Admiralty ; but Col. Lee was distrustful of his 
abilities for the station, and finding that Col. Pickering could make 
arrangements soon to take the post, declined in his favor. An inter- 
esting account of this affair, with Washington's remarks upon the 
subject, may be found in these pages under the title of Coh Pickering. 
Washington then praised Col. Lee as having acquired the reputation 
of a good officer, and as being well pleased with his command. That 



/ 



580 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

he was a brave and skilful officer there is no doubt. August 13, 1802, 
he was appointed Collector of the Customs for the District of Salem 
and Beverly, which office he sustained with great dignity and fidelity 
throughout the remainder of his life, which closed October, 1824- 
Col. Lee was universally respected and honored as the gallant soldier, 
the patriot citizen, and accomplished gentleman. His daughter, now 
deceased, was the wife of the late General Henry A. S. Dearborn. 
His grandson, Col. Wm. R. Lee, has been distinguished throughout 
the present rebellion, and is a highly esteemed officer and man. 

McGiLCHRiST, William. The Rev. William McGilchrist was 
the second Rector of the Episcopal Church in Salem, Massachusetts, 
and succeeded the Rev. Mr. Brockwell in that office. He was ap- 
pointed in 1746 by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in 
Foreign Parts, in accordance with an urgent request of the Society 
here. He was a native of Glasgow, Scotland ; born in 1703, graduated 
at Baliol College, Oxford, 1731, ordained a deacon by the Bishop of 
London in 1733, and a priest by Martin, Bishop of Gloucester, in 
1735. His first ministerial service was rendered at St. Philip's, in 
Charleston, S. C, from 1741 to 1744, as a missionary of the Society, 
&c. He resigned the charge on account of ill health, and returned to 
England with testimonials of his usefulness and high character. 

The Society above mentioned had contributed to the support of the 
Church here from the beginning. Mr. McGilchrist served its interests 
with great success. The congregation grew rapidly under his charge, 
so that in 1771 it was necessary to enlarge the house and engage an 
assistant minister. But when the Revolution came on, the prosperity 
of the Church received a disastrous check. The Episcopal clergy- 
men throughout the country were suspected of Toryism, because they 
declined to omit prayers for the " royal " authorities. Dr. Parker, of 
Boston, and Mr. McGilchrist were the only two who did not fly from 
their parishes to England, or to the other Colonies, when the war broke 
out. The church in Salem dwindled away. Mr. McGilchrist was ex- 
posed to various trials and troubles during the war, so excited was the 
popular feeling. The church edifice itself was assailed. Stones were 
sometimes thrown into the windows while the worshippers were as- 
sembled, and at others, the boys would "go and rock the Tory church " 
as a diversion. Public worship was finally suspended. 

Mr. McGilchrist died in Salem during the war, April 19, 1780, 
when in the seventy-eighth year of his age, and thirty-fourth of his 
ministry here. He was never married. Judge Curwen, who knew 
him well, speaks of him in his " Journal " as a person of " singular in- 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 581 

tegrity of character, undissembled virtue, and a friendly heart." Dr. 
Holyoke, his intimate friend and executor, wrote an obituary notice of 
him, in which he says " that he was esteemed by all who were i-eally 
acquainted with his character, as a gentleman of learning, integrity, 
charity, virtue, and purity." 

By will he bequeathed the amount of salary due him from the 
Society for Propagating the Gospel, and his share of " the contribu- 
tion for the unhappy sufferers in America, unto the worthy society." 
He gave his books to his successors in the ministry, manumitted his 
negro servant, and the remainder of his estate he bequeathed to Dr. 
Holyoke. 

The following letters show the estimation in which he was held 
by his friends and family. The reason why he did not accept the 
offers made in them is unknown. The opportunities of communica- 
tion were infrequent during the war, and travel extra-hazardous. 

DANIEL McGILCHRIST TO REV. WM. McGILCHRIST. 

London, Nov. 4, 1771. 
Dear Brother : 

In May, 1769, I was seized with severe rheumatism in Jamaica, 
which deprived me of the use of ray limbs until July, 1770, when I 
arrived in Bristol. Since that time I have grown better daily, and 
am now pretty well, and just going out to Jamaica to settle my affairs, 
then to return to Britain for good, I hope. I have at two different 
times been about seven months in Scotland since my return ; I shall 
say nothing of the country, but tell you of your friends there living. 

Our sister Margaret old and infirm ; James infirm, and palsied on 
one side ; Elizabeth lame by a fall from an horse, but otherwise stout 
and hearty ; Janet healthy and active : the four live in great friend- 
ship, and are respected by their neighbors, at house on hill, called 
North Bars, since the other house was sold ; it is a tolerably good 
house. Archibald married about thirty years ago, and has five chil- 
dren, — two sons and three daughters. Mi's. Farquharson is eighty, 
and looks well. Charlotte Ballentine, now Lundie, is well, and has four 
fine children : one a merchant in Virginia ; another a surgeon, going 
out with me ; and two well-bred, clever girls. I shall leave Jamaica 
the beginning of May next, and will be glad to hear if you intend to 
finish your days on that side of the water. For if you had any in- 
tention to come home, you would make me very happy to assist jour 
inclinations, should there be occasion ; my fortune is now independent. 
I intend taking a house in London, and if you still choose to officiate 

49* 



582 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

in your profession, I dare say a living might be had. Pray let me 
hear from you, after the beginning of May. You will please direct 
for rae to the care of Messrs. Long, Drake & Long, merchants in 
London. Dear Brother, 

Yours most affectionately. 

Daniel Mc Gilchrist. 
Rev. Mr, Wm. McGilchrist, at Salem, New England. 

GID. MURRAY TO DR. WM. McGILCHRIST. 

Durham, Sept. 12, 1776. 
My worthy old Friend : 

Some years ago I wrote a friendly letter to you at Salem, and 
trusted it to the care of a friend who forwarded it ; so I hoped it 
would be received by you, and have long wondered at your silence, 
so 1 fear it never reached you. I trust this will be attended with 
better fortune, go safe, and be acknowledged soon. 

By consulting your benevolent heart, you will readily guess how 
much uneasiness I have suffered for the present ruinous state of our 
Colonies and this country, and in particular how much I have been 
grievously affected for you, who must be unhappily situated in your 
mission at Salem during these horrid commotions and cruel civil war. 
Often have I thought, wished, and endeavored to befriend you, and 
relieve you from your distress, and get you more comfortably settled 
here by obtaining a moderate living for you. We have pretty good 
livings in our Church, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter. I have twice 
exerted myself strenuously to obtain a vacant living for you, but have 
been deceived and disappointed and jockeyed by a minor Canon or 
Member of Parliament, who had better interest in Chapter than I, 
and preferred their selfish ends to your intrinsic merit. 

Our Dean and a majority of our Prebendaries have promised to 
vote for and present you to the first vacant living in our gift, that is 
not engaged ; so I hope we shall soon be able to provide you with a 
tolerably good benefice. I shall also apply to our honorable, sincere 
old friend Henry, now Lord Bathurst, Lord Chancellor, who I doubt 
not will be glad to confer one of his many livings on you. Consider- 
ing your merit and miserable situation, I am persuaded he will read- 
ily grant my request, for we are, and ever have been, upon a very 
friendly footing, and he never neglects his old acquaintances and 
fellow-collegians. 

Now considering these prospects I wish and would advise you to 
come home, where you shall not want bread, but live with me until I 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 583 

can provide properly for you. So quit America without loss of time ; 
you cannot regret it, nor be worse situated in this island than you 
must be, and long have been, and still may be at Salem, or anywhere 
on the Continent of America. 

Come home, then, as soon as you possibly can. Be not a Stoic 
philosopher, nor affect to be like a primitive Christian ; but fly from 
persecution, and endeavor to spend your latter days in ease, quiet, and 
peace, which God grant. 

When 3'ou come to London you will get intelligence of me and ray 
family at Mr. Lehcup's, in Albemarle Street, St. James's. I shall 
probably be at Carlton, my Rectory, in Nottinghamshire, near Work- 
sop, for we do not intend to be in London till after Christmas or Can- 
dlemas ; but you will write me as Mr. Lehcup will direct you at your 
arrival. You will, of course, wait on Dr. Hind, our Secretary, who 
I am sure will show you all civility, and be your friend as far as he 
can. Be sure also to wait on Dr. Douglas, Canon of Windsor, who 
is a most worthy good man, and sincerely your friend. His house 
is in Half-moon Street, Piccadilly, and if not there he will be at 
Windsor. 

Adieu. God grant you a safe voyage, and happy meeting with 

My dear man. 

Your most sincere friend, 

GiD. Murray. 

To Rev. Mr. McGilchrist, Missionary at Salem, America. 

EEV. L. WALTEIi TO REV. WM. McGILCHRIST. 

New York, May 5, 1779. 
Dear Sir : 

By Capt. Ives, I have the pleasure to hear that you were well when 
he left Salem. Did you receive a letter last summer from a friend of 
yours, a clergyman in Ireland ? There was one which came to my 
hand, and was forwarded to you by the way of Newport ; the name 
of the writer I forget, but the purport was that it was in his power 
and inclination to serve you, if you would visit him in Ireland. 

Capt. Ives likewise acquaints me that he apprehends you have not 
drawn for your Society money, through fear or doubt of your bills 
being accepted ; if so, let me assure you that the Society admit the 
drafts of all their missionaries, and that yours are just as good as 
ever, i. e. equal to gold or silver. As also, by drawing on Messrs. 
Hoar & Co., bankers, in Fleet Street, London, you will receive as 
one of the suffering clergymen in America, fifty pounds. I know not 



584 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

but I am giving you the trouble of reading what you already know ; 
if so, excuse me from the good intention ; and if in any matters I 
can be of service to you please command me. Mr. Weeks was 
well in London. 

I am, witli great respect, 

Your most obedient servant and brother, 

L. Walter. 
To Rev. Mr. Mc Gilchrist, in Salem. 

m 

Mauduit, Jasper, Esq., of London, the friend of Governor Hutch- 
inson and Lieutenant-Governor Oliver, successfully vindicated their 
characters respecting their letters to the Privy Council, assisted by 
Mr. Wedderburne. He was for a long time Treasurer of the Society 
for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians of New P^ngland, and 
Agent for the Assembly of Massachusetts Bay in London. His zeal 
was greater for the conversion of Indians than for the important con- 
cerns of the Province. 

Mauduit, Israel, Esq., Secretary of Lord George Germaine, was 
distinguished as the writer of several pamphlets, in which the char- 
acter of General Howe was severely attacked. 

Mifflin, Thomas, of Pennsylvania, was actively engaged in oppo- 
sition to the measures of the British Parliament. He was a member 
of the first Congress in 1774, and was among the first commissioned 
at the organization of the Continental Army, having been appointed 
Quartermaster-General. In October, 1788, he succeeded Dr. Frank- 
lin as President of tlie Supreme Executive Council. In September, 
1790, the Constitution for Pennsylvania was formed by a Convention, 
over which he was chosen the first Governor. He possessed extraor- 
dinary powers of elocution, which he exercised with success during the 
insurrection in Pennsylvania in 1794. He"i*etired from the gubernato- 
rial chair at the close of the year 1799, and on the 20th January, 1809, 
died at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. 

Moulton, Colonel Jeremiah, was born in York, Maine, in 
1688, and was taken prisoner by the Indians, January 22, 1692, old 
style, when York was destroyed by the Indians. He was released, 
with other children, in gratitude for the humanity of Colonel Church, 
who in one of his expeditions had released several Indian prisoners, 
old women and children. The savages were not ungrateful for acts of 
kindness. In August, 1724, he and Captain Harmon, with two hun- 
dred and eight men and three Mohawk Indians, marched against the 
Indian settlement at Norridgewock, in consequence of attacks upon 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 585 

the frontiers. There being four companies, the other commanders 
were Captain Bourne and Lieutenant Bean. They left Richmond 
Fort, August 8, old style, or August 19 ; the next day arrived at Ta- 
conic Falls on the Kennebec, where they left their boats and a guard 
of forty men, August 21, they marched by land, and in the evening 
fired upon two Indians, who proved to be the daughter and wife of 
Bomaseen ; the former was killed, the latter taken prisoner. August 
23, they approached the village ; Harmon with eighty men marching 
circuitously by the fields, and Moulton with eighty men directly upon 
Norridgewock, which he surprised. The Indians, consisting of about 
sixty warriors, were defeated, and the chapel and village destroyed. 
Father Ralle was killed in a wigwam, and twenty-six Indians, among 
whom were Bomaseen, and his son-in-law Mog, also Job, Canabesett, 
and Wissememet, all noted warrioi's. One of the Mohawks was killed, 
but none of the whites. Harmon carried the scalps to Boston, and 
having been chief in command, was made a Lieutenant-Colonel for 
the exploit of Moulton, who obtained no reward. At the reduction 
of Louisburg in 1745. he commanded a regiment, and was afterwards * 
Sheriff of the Count}', Councillor, and Judge of the Common Pleas 
and of Probate. He died at York, July 20, 1765, aged seventy-seven. 
His son and grandson were Sheriffs of York County. 

Newton, Rev. Roger, D. D., of Greenfield, Mass. With all his 
leanings to Toryism, he managed to keep a judicious seat upon the 
fence. He once asked of an official, what was to be done with the 
Tories, and was answered, we intend to hang the devils. Mr. New- 
ton probably did not indulge in any greater freedom of expression after 
this than he had done before. Rev. Dr. Newton was born in Durham, 
Connecticut, May 23, 1737, and graduated at Yale College in 1758; 
was ordained pastor of Greenfield, November 18, 1761, and after hav- 
ing been assisted by the Rev. Gamaliel S. Olds as colleague for a 
few years, died on the 10th of December, 1816, aged seventy-nine. 

His son Roger, educated at Yale, and a tutor, died December 10, 
1816. His father was a faithful and useful minister. He was pru- 
dent, courteous, and amiable in all the relations of life. , 

Oliver, Hon. Andrew, son of Lieutenant-Governor Andrew y 
Oliver, and nephew of Chief Justice Peter Oliver, graduated at Har- 
vard College in 1749 ; studied law ; was often a Representative to the 
Assembly, and a Judge of the Common Pleas for Essex previous to 
the Revolution. He was one of the founders of the American Acad- 
emy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the American Philo- 
sophical Society at Philadelphia ; he was reckoned among the best 



586 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

scholars of his day, and possessed fine talents. Judge Oliver was 
never fond of public life, but ardently attached to his books and his 
friends. Besides an " Essay on Comets," which was published in 1772, 
several valuable communications of his are contained in the first 
volume of the " Transactions of the American Academy." He was 
honored with a commission of Mandamus Councillor, which he de- 
clined ; he married Mary, daughter of Chief Justice Lynde, and 
several descendants remain of the second and third generations ; he 
died in December, 1799, aged sixty-eight. Judge Oliver was a Loyal- 
ist, and the only member of his family who did not renounce his 
country in consequence of the Revolution. He gave to the town of 
Salem his compensation for being a Representative to the General 
Court for five years. He was more eminent in private life as a 
scholar and man of science than as a politician. He remained on 
the Bench of the Court of Common Pleas until the Revolution, and 
ceased to take part in any public affairs after the overthrow of the 
Royal Government. He died in Salem, Massachusetts, December 6, 
1799, aged sixty-two. 

Paine, Robert Treat, LL. D., one of the Signers of the Decla- 
ration of Independence, was born in Boston, 1731 ; graduated at 
Harvard College in 1749 ; studied law ; and conducted the prosecu- 
tion on the part of the Crown with great reputation, in the absence of 
the Attorney-General, in the trial of Captain Preston and his men of 
^^ Boston Massacre" memory, in 1770. In 1773 he was elected a 
member of the General Assembly, and afterwards was chosen a 
member of the Continental Congress which met at Philadelphia in 
1774. The following four years he was reelected, and rendered im- 
portant services in inti-oducing the manufacture of saltpetre, then im- 
perfectly understood, while the Colonies were suffering for the want of 
gunpowder. He was also of the committee for the encouragement of 
the manufacture of cannon, and other implements of war. In a 
letter to the Hon. Joseph Palmer, as President of the Massachusetts 
Provincial Congress at Watertown, he complains of an intrigue to 
supplant him in the good opinion of his constituents, and says he 
^'^ has just discovered a malicious and slanderous correspondence between 
John Adams and Thomas Gushing.'" On the organization of the 
Supreme Court in Massachusetts, in 1776, he was named for one of 
the Judges, which he declined at first, as John Adams, many years his 
junior, had obtained the appointment of Chief Justice ; but upon the 
resignation of the latter, Mr. Paine took his seat on that Bench. His 
son, who afterwards bore his name, was a distinguished writer of 
national and patriotic poetry. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 587 

Paine, William, M. D., son of Timothy Paine, Esq., of Worces- 
ter, Mass., graduated at Harvard College in 1768. He was prac- 
tising professionally at Worcester at the conimencement of the 
Revolution; VFas a Refugee, and proscribed in 1778. Became an 
apothecary to the British forces in Rhode Island and New York. At 
the peace he settled at New Brunswick, and was a Representative for 
Charlotte County. He removed to Salem, Mass., where he practised 
from 1787 to 1793, with success in his profession. The death of his 
father caused him to return to Worcester, where he closed his check- 
ered life on the 18th April, 1833, at the age of eighty-three. 

Palmer, Thomas, A. M., was born at Boston, August 18, 1743 ; 
graduated at Harvard College 1761. He was in England when the 
Revolution commenced, which induced him to remain there. He sent 
liome many costly donations to the library of his Alma Mater, and at 
his death, in 1820, bequeathed to it his whole collection. A lot of 
land on the range of what is now Pearl Street, then unoccupied, called 
Palmer's Pasture, belonged to him, as did a portion of Mount Hope, in 
Rhode Island. Mr. Palmer married a daughter of the Hon. Isaac 
Royall, of Medford, with whose sisters, George Erving and Sir 
William Pepperrell, Bart., made similar alliances.. 

Peabody, Joseph. The example of the wise and good has ever 
exercised a favorable influence upon civilized man, and will never 
cease to be a valuable item in the wealth of nations. In all ages have 
historians considered it a grateful duty to trace the course of their 
philosophers, explain the policy of their statesmen, and emblazon the 
renown of their heroes. For this they have been welcomed to the 
republic of letters, and we see no reason why a similar greeting should 
not be extended to such as endeavor to portray the less striking, al- 
though, oftentimes more useful, examples of entei'prise and moral 
worth. 

Amongst our eminent merchants (during the European wars which 
gave us the carrying trade of the world) none exerted a wider influence 
for good, or were more conspicuous for probity and honor than Wil- 
liam Gray, Archibald Gracie, and the respected individual whose 
name is at the head of this article. Their credit, at times, surpassed 
that of Government itself, and their operations were more varied and 
extensive than any ever conducted by individual enterprise in our 
country. 

The biogi'aphy of such men must necessarily afford interesting in- 
struction to a mercantile community, from its bearing upon our com- 
mercial history, while, at the same time, it gives an opportunity of pay- 



588 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

ing a becoming tribute of respect to uncommon worth, as well as tends 
to relieve the ennui produced by the succession of political, juridical, 
and heroic sketches, which are constantly pressed upon the public eye. 

The immediate subject of this memoir, when but a youth, took arms 
in his country's cause, performed in early manhood a naval exploit of 
thrilling interest during our Revolutionary struggle, and exhibited great 
energy, perseverance, and foresight, in a long continued series of mer- 
cantile enterprises, embracing the entire period of our national exist- 
ence ; and we hope that, by recounting some of the incidents of his life, 
we shall inspire patriotism and stimulate laudable ambition in those to 
whom is destined the political sway, or guidance of the future com- 
merce of our country. 

Joseph Peabody was born at Middleton, on the 9th of December, 
1757. His father was a deacon of the church, and descended from 
Francis Peabody, who came from St. Alban's, Hertfordshire, England, 
in 1635, and was one of the first settlers of Topsfield, — a part of which, 
together with portions of the adjacent towns, was incorporated in 1728 
by the name of Middleton. These towns had previously been set off 
from Salem, the most ancient township of the Colony of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay in New England. 

This ancestor, with his associates of indomitable courage and untir- 
ing perseverance, under prospects the most adverse and discouraging, 
still felt themselves gainers in the exchange of " a paradise of plenty," 
in the Old World, for " a wilderness of want " in the New ; where, al- 
though surrounded by hostile bands of savages, they could worship the 
God of their fathers according to the dictates of their consciences. 
This puritanic family continued through several successive generations 
in the peaceful rank of agriculturalists, in which were passed also the 
first eighteen years of him, some traces of whose life it is our pres- 
ent purpose to record ; and he would probably have remained con- 
tented in it, free from internal restlessness and ignorant of the ener- 
getic qualities he after displayed, but for the desire for freedom which 
now pervaded the continent. 

The Rev. Elias Smith, pastor at Middleton, in common with the 
New England clergy generally, guided the people of his charge, not 
only in the precepts of religion, but enlightened them also on the 
political events of the day, seeking by constant efforts to imbue them 
with the true spirit of liberty and resistance. And pi'obably no cir- 
cumstance contributed more to the successful termination of the Rev- 
olution, than the zeal of the clergy in diffusing from the pulpit the 
true principles on which that great event was founded, and lending to 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 589 

their appeals the sacred influence of their office. A war was now to 
be waged in behalf of civil liberty ; the pride, valor, ambition, and 
self-love of our youth were aroused ; the forms of departed hei'oes 
flitted befoi-e them, and many were dazzled by their exploits, and 
panted for an opportunity to inscribe their names ujjon the escutcheon 
of a rising empire. 

Aware that persecution had driven his forefathers from their native 
land, and that Andros had failed in his attempt to impose a yoke upon 
the necks of a succeeding generation, Mr. Peabody did not long delib- 
erate as to the part he should take in the pending contest. It is a 
trite saying, that extraordinary circumstances bring into action latent 
talents. This our struggle for freedom fully verified, and its history 
is embellished with such thoughts and deeds of the common, as well 
as more exalted classes of man, as well may vie with those called 
forth during the most eventful periods of the Old World. 

At the time when the battle of Lexington took place, Mr. Peabody, 
too young to be enrolled in the militia, joined the Boxford company as 
a volunteer, but they did not reach the scene of action until the Brit- 
ish troops had passed down, much to his disappointment, as he prided 
himself on his skill as a marksman. His brother-in-law being drafted 
to join the army, Mr. Peabody was obliged to remain and oversee the 
cultivation of the farm, until the return of the former, at the close of 
the campaign, when he gladly relinquished a life too passive and un- 
congenial to an active mind at so exciting a period. He now deter, 
mined to acquire knowledge, and court fortune on the treacherous 
element which afforded the greatest opportunity for enterprise, as well 
as distinction, in the cause he espoused. 

Our infant navy, unworthy the name, (since it comprised but some 
half-a-dozen ill-equipped and ill-officered vessels,) offered but little 
chance even to the best qualified, as all the higher offices were filled 
by such as had wealth to loan for its equipment. And John Paul Jones 
himself, whose career fills so large a page in our naval histoiy, in 
order to secure the berth of Senior First Lieutenant, had to dispose of 
a plantation in Vii'ginia, bequeathed to him by his brother, and loan 
the proceeds to the Marine Committee. 

Our private armed marine, not only reputable but highly patriotic, 
offering every inducement to the brave and enterprising, was at once 
embraced by Mr. Peabody, whose achievement in the Ranger, the 
particulars of which we shall introduce in its proper place, is worthy 
to rank with those of Haraden in the Pickering, and Fisk in the 
Tyrannicide, also of Salem. The private marine reflected as much 

50 



590 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

glory on our arms, and was decidedly more effective than the navy. 
We believe no officer of the latter attained distinction, with the excep- 
tion of Commodore John Paul Jones, " whose achievements," in the lan- 
guage of the immortal Washington, " commanded the admiration of 
the world." 

Mr. Peabody's first cruise was in Mr. E. H. Derby's privateer, 
Bunker Hill, which terminated unsuccessfully. On his return to 
Salem he was seized with a fever, which detained him there several 
months. During his convalescence, his mind, weakened by disease, 
was filled with hopes which assumed the guise of realities, persuading 
him that he was the actual owner of ships and wealth ; and thus en- 
abled him to enjoy, by anticipation, what the efforts of after years 
failed not to realize. 

His second cruise was in the Pilgrim, Capt. Hill, belonging to 
Messrs. G. and A. Cabot. They had the good fortune to fall in with 
a British merchantman, deeply laden, but strongly armed. On Hear- 
ing the enemy. Captain Hill ordered him to strike, to which he was 
answered, " No ! you must fight." " Very well," responded Hill, " say 
when you are ready ; " and after waiting a considerable time, which 
was improved to the utmost by the enemy in clearing for action, load- 
ing, &c.. Hill becoming impatient, asked if he was ready, and on 
receiving an affirmative reply, said to his crew, " Then, my boys, let 
them have it." After a short action, and the loss of their captain, the 
enemy surrendered, and Mr. Peabody, as prize-master, took the vessel 
safe into Thomaston, Maine. He commenced a second cruise in the 
Pilgrim, but the privateer being dismasted, and obliged to return to 
Salem, he resolved to abandon, for a time, the ocean, having seen 
enough of seafaring life to judge of his ability to prosecute it with 
success. Feeling that the want of instruction, denied by the circum- 
stances of his early life, was a serious barrier to his advancement, he 
applied himself for a year with the greatest assiduity and diligence to 
the acquisition of the knowledge indispensable to the attainment of 
rank in his profession. 

For the above purpose, Mr. Peabody retired to the place of his 
nativity, and pursued his studies under the direction of the Rev. Mr. 
Smith, whose varied attainments enabled him to impart the requisite 
information, and whose friendly counsels, so important to one entering 
upon an active career, at such a period, might be depended on as the 
dictates of a high moral sense, a sound judgment, and a benevolent 
heart. 



. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 591 

While thus engaged in his studies, Mr. Peabody met with a manu- 
script collection of maxims, containing, not only sound moral rules, 
but those of courtesy and good breeding, as well as the results of 
experience in the management of worldly affairs. He was struck with 
their value, and copied them into a small book which he entitled his 
" Guide through Life," and it was ever his custom to apply them, 
when occasion offered, in advice to his children, as well as in reference 
to his own conduct. 

The month of August, 1778, was ushered in with a summons for 
the militia generally to join the army under General Sullivan, at 
Rhode Island, with a view to the surprise and capture of Newport, 
then in possession of the British Army. Mr. Peabody accompanied 
the Middleton corps as an officer. Soon after their arrival, disap- 
pointed of the expected cooperation of their French allies, the militia 
immediately disbanded, and the besieging army, reduced to five thou- 
sand men, abandoned the enterprise, as the number of the enemy 
entrenched was six thousand. William Orne, of Salem, who was 
afterwards one of our most eminent, upright, and opulent merchants, 
also served in this campaign. 

Mr. Peabody, having completed the necessary studies which he had 
marked out for himself, made a voyage to Gottenburg, in the letter-of- 
raarque Rambler. He next sailed as prize-master in the privateer 
Fishhawk, Capt. Foster, who, after being out a few days, laid his ves- 
sel alongside of a large ship, which proved to be a British man-of-war, 
and was taken. The crew was sent into St. Johns, Newfoundland, 
where, on board a prison-ship, they were well treated. They estab- 
lished a school among themselves, and all went on harmoniously, until 
the crew of another privateer, belonging to Salem, was ci'owded in 
with them, which caused the mass to become turbulent. Fortunately, 
however, they were soon relieved by exchange, and the Americans 
were landed at Boston. 

The tei'mination of this cruise so disgusted Mr. Peabody with priva- 
teering, that he decided to pursue it no further. He next embarked 
in the letter-of-marque Ranger owned by Messrs. Henry Sargent, of 
Boston, Henry Gardner, and Ward and Chipman, of Salem. Thomas 
Simmons was commander, Thomas Perkins, first officer, and Mr. Pea- 
body, second. They left Salem in the winter of 1781-2, with a cargo 
of salt, which they disposed of at Richmond, Virginia, and proceeded 
to Alexandria, where they loaded with flour for Havana, and arrived 
safe. A part of the cargo being from the plantation of General Wash- 



592 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

ington, was preferred by the Spaniards, and what was unusual, they 
received it at the marked weight, thus showing their confidence in the 
brand. The Ranger returned to Alexandria, and after receiving on 
board another cargo of flour, on the 5th July, 1782, dropped down the 
Potomac, to near its mouth, where, encountering head winds, she was 
obliged to anchor, and after making the ordinary arrangements for the 
night, the officers and crew retired to their berths. 

About eleven o'clock the watch ran aft for a speaking-trumpet, and 
announced to the officers the unwelcome news that boats were making 
for the ship. Capt. Simmons directed Mr. Peabody not to let them 
come alongside ; but they both rushed up the companion-way, and as 
they reached the deck, received a discharge of musketry, by which 
Captain Simmons fell, badly wounded, and entirely disabled from 
further action. Mr. Peabody, having no time to dress himself, ran 
forward in his night-clothes, calling on the crew to seize the board- 
ing-pikes, and grasping one himself, accompanied by a man named 
Kent, armed in the like manner, sprang to the bows, where they had 
a fierce encounter with several of the enemy already on the gunwale. 
The crew, having armed themselves, a desperate conflict ensued, in 
the midst of which another boat came alongside and began a heavy 
fire on the other quarter. The first officer being employed at the 
magazine in procuring ammunition for those who were armed with 
muskets, the command of the deck devolved on Mr. Peabody, who, 
wearing a white shirt, was a conspicuous mark, even in a dark night. 
He now ordered cold shot to be thrown into the boats, and it was done 
with such effect that one of them gave way ; botli had been grappled 
to the Ranger before receiving any damage. Perceiving the ad- 
vantage thus obtained, he applied his entire force to the other boat — 
cheering his men with the cry of " We have sunk one, my boys ; now 
let us sink the other." The responding cheers of the crew so alarmed 
the assailants that they dropped astern, and both were soon lost in the 
darkness of the night. "When the confusion was over, one of the crew 
only was found to be dead, and three wounded. Captain Simmons's 
wound was severe, and disabled him for a long time. Mr. Peabody 
was not aware, during the action, that he had received any wounds ; 
but, when the excitement subsided, he found his arras stiff, and a ball 
lodged in his left wrist ; that the bone of his right elbow was laid bare, 
and a ball had grazed his left shoulder. At daylight a club of hair 
was discovered on deck which proved to be his, it having been shot 
off close to his head, as if clipped by a barber. We well remember 
one of the crew who had cut off the hand of an assailant, which was 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 593 

raised over the bulwark, armed with a pistol, and aimed at Mr. Pea- 
bodj ; it is unnecessary to say he continued for life a pensioner on the 
bounty of the latter. Mr. Peabody's escape from death in this action 
appears to have been almost miraculous. 

The Ranger was armed with seven guns, and the crew comprised 
but twenty, while the barges of the enemy contained sixty men. From 
information obtained, the latter lost fifteen killed, and had thirty-eight 
wounded. The assailants proved to be a band of Tories, with which 
the bay had for some time been infested, commanded by two of their 
noted characters. Barret and Anderson, who had a rendezvous at St. 
George's Island, near the anchorage of the Ranger. They had a 
few days before succeeded in capturing a brig of ten guns and thirty 
men. 

It was found necessary to return with the vessel to Alexandria for 
the purpose of refitting, where the action was pronounced as des- 
perate as any upon the records of naval warfare. In admiration of 
the valor displayed on this occasion, a boarding-pike, richly mounted 
with silver, and bearing a suitable inscription, was presented by the 
merchants of that borough. This happy memorial of gallant conduct 
remains a treasured relic with Mr. Peabody's heirs. 

Mr. Perkins now took command of the Ranger, and Mr. Peabody 
became first officer. Capt. Simmons was sufficiently recovered from 
his wound to resume his post on the succeeding voyage, and Mr. Pea- 
body was retained as first officer. On their return from Curajoa 
they were chased for thirty-six hours by a man-of-war, and finally 
escaped into Havana, whence they returned to Salem. 

Peace having now taken place, commercial activity greatly in- 
creased. Mr. Peabody was promoted to a command, in the employ 
of Messrs. Gardner, of Salem, and Mr. Perkins accompanied him as 
chief mate. This companion in war was afterwards long his associate 
in business at Salem, and amassed also a very large fortune, which 
has been transmitted to his nephews, the Messrs. Pingree, who rank 
among our most enterprising and successful merchants. 

His next voyage was to St. Martin's, thence to Alexandria, where 
he was severely attacked by small-pox and his life despaired of. He 
sufi^ered great agony and was so swollen as to be unable to see, but 
retaining his faculties, heard the discouraging remarks of those around. 
He attributed his recovery to a sea-captain, who administered on his 
own responsibility. 

Mr. Peabody having now realized a sufficient sum to enable him to 
purchase a vessel, selected the schooner Three Friends, and com- 

50* 



594 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

manded her himself. His voyages were to the West Indies and Eu- 
rope ; he was almost constantly at sea for several years, and never 
failed to note whatever information he obtained that might prove useful 
in the more extensive future operations towards which he pressed with 
a laudable zeal. 

We have before mentioned that the peace of '83 imparted a new 
impulse to trade, which, however, was soon after jeoparded by the 
petty jealousies of the States on the sea-board, whose contending efforts 
paralyzed for a time its successful prosecution. Rhode Island, for 
instance, desirous of monopoly, and affecting to fear that the capital of 
her neighbors would deprive her of a fair proportion of trade, per- 
mitted the importation of all goods free of duty. This measure, so 
injurious in its bearing on the larger States, M'hich relied upon impost 
for the support of their governments, was met by retaliation. Massa- 
chusetts passed a Navigation Act, requiring duties to be paid only on 
goods imported on foreign account, and tonnage only on foreign vessels. 

Our Union, which had barely been maintained by the stimulus of 
war, now became as a rope of sand. The limited powers of the Old 
Confederation, together with its tardiness of action, rendered it utterly 
inefficient as a government ; and the conflicting measures of some of 
the parties to it now threatened its speedy dissolution. 

These gloomy forebodings impelled extraordinary exertions for the 
preservation of blessings achieved at no common cost. Correspond- 
ences were entered into by George Cabot ^ and others with our patriot 
fathers respecting the establishment of a national government upon a 
more energetic and stable footing, under which the interests of com- 
merce might receive a proper care ; and Benjamin Goodhue (another 
educated Salem merchant, who afterwards filled with credit seats in 
both of the legislative halls of the nation) obtained from Mr. Adams, 
then our Minister at the Court of St. James, and other sources, the 
best available light on the commercial policy of Europe, thereby 
becoming qualified for a task which himself and others were soon 
called upon to perform. 

After two ^ ineffectual attempts a Convention was formed, which, in 
1788, framed the Federal Constitution. 

The first duty which presented itself upon the organization of the 

1 For a biographical notice of this eminent merchant see elsewhere in this work. 

2 As a delegate to the first, Mr. Goodhue was appointed by a Eesolution of the Gen- 
eral Court of Massachusetts, July 4th, 1784. And also as delegate to the second, in 
company with Caleb Davis, Tristram Dalton, and John Coffin, by a like Resolution 
passed by the same body, in accordance with similar action on the part of the Legisla- 
ture of Virginia, March 21, 1786. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 595 

new Government in New York, was the creation of a revenue for its 
support; and a tariff on imports being by all considered the least 
onerous mode of taxation, a commercial code was framed, under the 
guidance of Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, by Mr. 
Goodhue,^ Mr. Fitzsimmons, (a merchant member from Philadelphia,) 
and others, which, with some modification, still remains the law of the 
land ; a proud testimonial of the sagacity and foresight of its authors. 

The advantages derived from the new order of things were in no 
point of view so apparent as in a commercial one. Chaos gave place 
to order ; clouds which had overshadowed us were succeeded by the 
most cheering prospects; internal and foreign trade, so long paralyzed, 
now received an impetus before unknown ; and enterprise everywhere, 
for a long series of years, was crowned with success unexampled at 
any period of commercial history. 

Mr. Peabody having personally retired from the ocean in 1791, 
except for a single trip as passenger to the West Indies, was now 
married to Miss Catharine Smith, of Middleton, a daughter of the 
reverend friend to whom he was so much indebted for his mental and 
moral training in youth, and for the moulding of his religious and polit- 
ical principles in manhood, and whose name he ever mentioned with 
the warmest expressions of gratitude. He represented him as exer- 
cising unbounded influence in his sphere of action, and as possessing 
the love and veneration of all with whom he associated. This bless- 
ing he was not destined long to enjoy; death separated them in the 
short space of two years. In 1795 he formed a matrimonial connection 
with Elizabeth, sister of his first w'ife, and it was their happiness to 
pass nearly half a century together in almost unalloyed prosperity. 

Mr. Peabody did not fail to derive every advantage which commerce 
yielded under the fostering hand of Government, at that time so liber- 
ally extended, and, by honorable competition, soon rose to wealth and 
influence. He continued gradually to increase the number of his ships 
with his accruing means, until they floated in every sea. To particu- 
larize his very numerous enterprises during the threescore years he 
was a ship-owner, would be monotonous ; and the classifying and illus- 
trating of the different branches of trade which he successively era- 
braced, commencing with that of our own coast and ending only with 

1 Extract of a letter from Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Goodhue, dated June 
30, 1791: — "It must have given you pleasure to learn how much the Constitution of 
the United States, and the measures under it, in which you have had so considerable 
an agency, have contributed to raise this country in the estimation of Europe. The 
change which has been wrought in the opinion of that part of the world respecting 
the United States is almost wonderful." 



596 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

the farthest Indies, would occupy a space far beyond the limits of an 
article for a periodical journal, without affording matter of interest to 
any but the most curious admirer of detail. Let it suffice, tlierefore, 
to enumerate important statistics relating to a business, the magnitude 
of which has seldom for so long a period been conducted by the enter- 
prise and industry of an individual. 

Mr. Peabody built and owned eighty-three ships, which, in every 
instance, he freighted himself, and for the navigation of them he ship- 
ped, at different times, upwards of seven thousand seamen. Since the 
year 1811, he has advanced thirty-five to the rank of ship-master, who 
entered his employ as boys. He had performed by these vessels the 
following voyages, viz : — To Calcutta, thirty-eight ; Canton, seventeen ; 
Sumatra, thirty -two ; St. Petersburg, forty-seven ; other ports in the 
North of Europe, ten ; the Mediterranean, twenty,^ before the war of 

1812. 

1 FiTCHViLLE, Conn., 3d July, 1845. 
Mr. George A. Waud: 

Dear Sir, — Absence has prevented my earlier coming into possession and acknowl- 
edging the receipt of your esteemed favor of the 20th ultimo, by which I am most 
happy to learn you are engaged in preparing for the press a memoir of our late ven- 
erated friend, Joseph Peabody. You ask me to enlighten you on the subject of his 
business with the Mediterranean, most of which, you think, was placed under the 
direction of my house at Marseilles. 1 believe, with a few exceptions in occasional 
consignments to other ports, this was the case, from the first opening of our trade with 
that sea, after the peace of 1814, up to the period of his death. 

It is impossible for me, al this remote period, without any documents or memoranda 
whatever from the books of Fitch, Brothers & Co., to give you anything bordering on 
a correct or detailed statement of his immense business transactions with the port of 
Marseilles alone during this long interval.- The estimate would probably far surpass 
any amount 1 would venture to name; for his business not only consisted in inward 
cargoes of great value, but most of his ships took full return cargoes, destined prin- 
cipally to other foreign ports, thus doubling the amount, and further extending his 
services and usefulness, I might almost sa}-, throughout the whole commercial world; 
for 1 venture the assertion there are few, if any, of the most important ports in either 
hemisphere where his name and the signal of his ships were not as well known as 
they were at home. 

You are well aware of his laconic instructions in relation to business affairs. Those 
to my house were always condensed in a few lines, giving cai-ie blanche to use our best 
judgment in the promotion of his interest; and although the amount of many millions 
passed through our hands, not a single dollar was ever drawn for in anticipation, 
although, of course, tendered on all occasions. He always appeared to show the most 
anxious desire to impress upon my mind that he alone had been the recipient of favors. 

His friendship and confidence I prized above everything. His superior as a mer- 
chant, or equal as a man, I have never known, and am satisfied that mine is not an 
over-estimate of his character; for in conversation with his townsman, the Hon. Dud- 
ley L. Pickman, whom I consider one of the first merchants of the age, he said, from 
an acquaintance of more than half a century, he had not known one of more inflex- 
ible integrity or unerring judgment. 

Kespectfully and truly yours, A. Fitch. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 597 

To the West Indies, Spanish Main, and along our wide extended 
coast, they are unnumbered. He had also, for several 3'ears, a large 
interest in a northwest coast trading and navigation company. 

The manner in which he conducted these extensive .concerns con- 
tributed essentially to the prosperity of Salem, which he made the 
home of all his operations, and where the aggregate of his annual 
state, county, and city taxes paid into the treasury, amounted to about 
two hundred thousand dollars. He built and equipped his ships there, 
and it was there they always returned with their cargoes, to be dis- 
tributed by the coasting vessels amongst the greater markets. Out- 
ward cargoes were procured in these markets and transported coast- 
wise for transshipment at Salem. This course, while it gave constant 
employment to a very great number of his townsmen, was not at all 
times conducive to his pecuniary interest, and therefore could only 
have been prompted by the benevolent desire of affording them a 
remunerating occupation. 

From his energy in the prosecution of commercial schemes many 
supposed he had one of those iron wills which naturally impelled him 
to push forward in spite of obstacles, and regardless of consequences, 
whereas he was, in truth, uncommonly cautious, seldom yielding to his 
first impressions, or, at least, not until they were duly considered ; but 
having once decided upon his course, he made it a duty never to 
swerve but for the strongest reasons. 

After his dissolution of copartnership with Mr. Perkins, Mr. Pea- 
body associated with him Mr. Gideon Tucker, upon whose ample 
qualifications he relied for a long term of years for conducting the 
correspondence and otherwise supervising the business which was be- 
coming more and more extended; and it was the good fortune of the 
writer, amongst others, to be within the scope of his example, and of 
the advice and counsel it was his happiness to impart. 

The complicated concerns of these varied enterprises were conducted 
without effort, as system pervaded every department ; and by such 
prudence and foresight were his arrangements characterized, that 
there never was a time when Mr. Peabody could not, at a day's notice, 
by the disposition of stocks and merchandize on hand, liquidate all his 
indebtedness. 

Although engaged in active business for more than threescore years, 
to the extent of millions of dollars, and connected with thousands of 
agents of all descriptions, yet so maturely were his contracts consid- 
ered, so respectful was he of the rights of others, and so much more 



598 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICi:S. 

did he prefer to submit to slight pecuniary sacrifices than to hazard 
his peace of mind, that he was never involved in litigation or contro- 
versies. 

Conscious of the force of his own natural powers, and of the correct- 
ness of his judgment in what concerned the business of his life, Mr. 
Peabody manifested a diffidence rarely observed in one so preeminently 
successful, and scrupulously avoided delivering his thoughts upon 
subjects to which he had not particularly directed his attention. 

Public station offered no charms for him ; although often urged, he 
never but once could be induced to serve even in the Legislature of the 
State, and that was at a time when his popularity insured tlie election 
of the whole ticket, thereby securing the passage of a conservative 
measure of some moment. 

From the beginning Mr. Peabody adhered to the policy, and yielded 
a hearty cooperation to all the measures of the Administration of Wash- 
ington. He was fully persuaded that any deviation from the course 
pursued, (from which so great good had resulted,) and which was so 
forcibly traced on the chart which that preeminent statesman and 
patriot left for the guidance of the ship of State on leaving the com- 
mand, would inevitably lead to ruin. 

He never listened to the professions nor was lured by the sophistry 
of the Democratic clubs, whose labors, in the language of Washington, 
"gave the first rude shock to the best fabric of human government 
and happiness ever presented to the acceptance of mankind" ; nor did 
he favor the policy of non-importation, non-intercourse, or embargo. 

He felt, in common with many among the most exalted class of his 
fellow-citizens, that the " decrees " of France and the " orders " of 
England should have been resisted at the outset, or, after protesting, 
we should have waited until peace, when we might, as in other in- 
stances we have, obtained a just remuneration for all losses sustained. 

Enjoying, as our merchants then did, the carrying trade of the world, 
their profits could well afford the increased rates of premium demanded 
by the underwriter. By abandoning the ocean, millions otherwise 
within their reach were forever lost to the country. 

The throwing of our weight into the scale of " the destroyer of hu- 
man liberty" met with his utter and unqualified reprobation. 

No one ever discovered greater discernment in the selection of 
agents than Mr. Peabody, and as his business was an object of conse- 
quence, it imparted character to such as obtained it. Among the most 
prominent of these were Fitch, Brothers & Co., who also long and 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 599 

honorablj'^ served the United States as Navy Agents for the Mediter- 
ranean ; and although slandered and superseded by the late Adminis- 
tration, tardy justice has been rendered them by the present. 

To a letter of condolence addressed by the head of that house to 
the family of Mr. Peabody, on his decease, a son of the latter thus 
replied : " P^or you my father felt the highest regard, and there was no 
man in the circle of his acquaintance, during his long life, for whom I 
have heard him express a deeper interest. In the course of his busi- 
ness he was enabled to give such a direction to' a portion of it as to place 
the same under your care, and he has often said that your unceasing 
attention and admirable management placed him under the greatest 
obligation." 

Mr. Peabody's transactions were also very extensive with Mr. 
Williams, the American banker of London, by whose failure he lost 
between one and two hundred thousand dollars. Yet, so far from 
bearing him ill-will, when that gentleman returned to Salem, after an 
absence of forty years, Mr. Peabody, then at a very advanced age, 
crossed the street, and, with an extended hand, welcomed him to his 
native city. 

On the return of Joseph Augustus, Mr. Peabody's eldest son, from 
foreign travel, a quarter of a century ago, he with alacrity engaged in 
commerce as a partner of his father, and was actuated in no small 
degree by his spirit. His father soon leaned upon him, not the less 
as a prop of bis declining years, than as the future support of the 
business, which, under these favorable auspices, he trusted would con- 
tinue to shed its blessings upon the community long after he should 
cease to direct it. The realization of these pleasing anticipations was 
not permitted. After a few short years, by an inscrutible decree of 
divine wisdom, in the midst of life and usefulness, the high and honor- 
able course of this estimable son was closed forever. He married 
Louisa, daughter of the late Hon. Samuel Putnam, Judge of the 
Supreme Court. 

He had graduated with honor at Harvard University, in 1816, and 
was endeared by many virtues (which ever recur in the recollection 
of him) to a numerous circle of bereaved friends. 

Buoyed up by that religious principle which strongly marked his 
character, Mr. Peabody submitted, without a murmur, to the sad de- 
cree. He continued his enterprises to the close of his life, with 
various success, though not to the same extent, and solely with the 
desire of affording employment to such as relied upon his operations 
for their support. 



600 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

His life may be considered of much more advantage to the com- 
munity than that of many whose names are emblazoned in our annals 
merely from their connection with public events ; for very few, at the 
end of their career, can point to so much positive good effected by 
unaided personal efforts. 

Mr. Peabody closed his invaluable life, after a short illness, on the 
5th of January, 1844, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Two 
sons and a daughter have survived him.-^ In person, he M-as tall and 
commanding, with a carriage dignified, yet blended with singular 
modesty. From his reserve, few had an opportunity justly to esti- 
mate the strength of his intellect, or the refinement and delicacy of 
his sentiments. The lofty tone of the latter, and his dignified char- 
acter, could only be appreciated by those who, for a long period, were 
in constant intercourse with him. We have never known an indi- 
vidual who, in daily life, so uniformly preserved an entire self-respect, 
and at the same time was so courteous and yielding to his friends. 

His temper was hasty, but he was never known to utter a word in 
anger which he was obliged, in the cool moments of reflection, to re- 
call with regret ; or to compromise himself, at such moments, in any 
way to lessen his own self-respect or that of others. 

Possessing naturally the keenest sensibility, great moral efforts 
alone sustained him on various occasions, when others, whose habits 
of self-control were less firmly fixed, would have succumbed. 

Decision, firmness, prudence, and perseverance, were fully exempli- 
fied in his character. To great discernment in matters of business, (in 
which he was seldom deceived by appearances,) to him was given, 
also, an almost intuitive foresight. No General ever possessed a more 
ready eye, could better plan his enterprises, or calculate the chances 
of success or defeat. 

Mr. Peabody was, for many years, a communicant of the Unitarian 
Church, and no one more implicitly obeyed its injunctions, or paid a 
more becoming deference to its ordinances. His rehgious sentiment 
was deep and practical ; he left, however, to others the discussion of 
doctrines, and was firm in the belief that 

" He can't be wrong whose life is in the right." 
He was a generous contributor to all worthy objects, yet shrunk 
from any ostentatious display of his charities. His chief aim in as- 
sisting others appeared to be that of placing them in situations, where, 
by personal exertion, they could advance their own interests. Well 

1 Francis and George, who married Martha and Clara, daughters of the late Samuel 
Endicott, Esq., an honored descendant, in the fifth generation, from John Endicott, 
the first Governor of Massachusetts. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 601 

knowing that obligation is frequently so onerous as to neutralize the 
gratitude which ought to be felt for benefits received — his chai'ities 
were often indirect. His habit of early rising, in connection with the 
order which prevailed over all his affairs, afforded him much leisure, 
which was entirely devoted to his family, in the seclusion of which 
his own affectionate kindness was reciprocated by love and vener- 
ation. 

To a generous hospitality, which he at all times extended, Mr. 
Peabody added liberal entertainments on all suitable occasions. His 
associates were of the highest character. An unbroken intimacy of 
many years existed between him and William Frescott, whose long, 
distinguished, and useful life, soon after his own, was also closed 
without a reproach. Another much valued friend was the late 
Timothy Flint, the early and elegant historian of the West, who in- 
scribed his last work to Mr. Peabody ; and as this grateful tribute to 
a benefactor is so expressive of their long-cherished intimacy, we trust 
it will not be considered out of place to close our article with a tran- 
script of it : — 

" I have ventured to inscribe this book with your name, because I 
wished to prove, that, much as I have wandered, my heart and affec- 
tions have still had their stationary points. It is my pride to hope, 
amidst all the vicissitudes through which I have passed, that the 
friends of my youth will be those of my age. Years, in their flight, 
will never shed the mildew of oblivion over kindnesses which have 
marked every period of my intercourse with you. Those kindnesses 
are alike associated with the remembrances of scenes that have passed 
in the land of my birth, and in distant regions west of the Mississippi. 
To you it is owing that I ever appeared before the public. I know 
not if the public will thank you, or if it ought. I feel that I, at least, 
ought never to forget the kindness and munificence of the motive. 
While your keels plough every sea, bringing home rich harvests of 
commerce, I have always known you the earnest and consistent friend 
of the sacred soil and the plough. This acquaintance with your pre- 
dilections, apparently so foreign from those which have governed your 
pursuits in life, has added an inducement to inscribe to you a book 
which treats upon a country almost solely agricultural, and naturally 
richer in resources of that class, as I deem, than any other. In doing 
this, I beg to be allowed to express my affectionate prayers that the 
repose of your age, in the midst of your children, may be as long and 
as happy as your past life has been honorable and useful." 

Had Mr. Flint survived, and become the biographer of his friend, 

51 



602 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

so happily would he have illustrated his life as to have rendered 
superfluous this brief and imperfect sketch. 

" Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona 
Multi : sed omnes illacrimabiles 
Urguentur ignotique longa 
Nocte, carent quia vate sacro." — Hok. 

[The foregoing article, by the editor, vfas published in " Hunt's 
Merchants Magazine," New York, August, 1845.] 

Peppekrell, Lieutenant- General Sir William, Baronet ; 
and his grandson, Sir W. Pepperrell, Baronet, a Loyalist Kefugee in 
1775. It is a remarkable feature in our country's story that the men 
whose acts have contributed most to the illustration of its pages were 
self-made ; and perhaps in no instance has it been so signally exem- 
plified as in the life of the Christian Merchant and Hero whose name 
stands at the head of this article. The son of a fisherman, he became 
the most opulent and distinguished merchant ever raised in New Eng- 
land, and the principal actor in the greatest martial achievement that 
graces our Colonial history. Not less extraordinary is the fact that a 
name so honored and ennobled should have become extinct on this 
Continent at the third generation, and would have passed into oblivion 
but for our recorded annals. Nor are these more surprising than that 
Kittery Point, which was populous for a century, and the focus from 
which emanated all the commercial expeditions of this enterprising 
family, should have risen with its first and fallen with its last genera- 
tion ; its inhabitants being now reduced to the state it commenced 
with, a few poor fishermen. 

For more than a hundred years, beginning at the last quarter of 
the seventeenth century, Kittery was assessed, and paid about half 
the amount of taxes of the whole Province of Maine. Kittery Point 
was selected by Mr. John Bray, grandfather of our hero, as a good 
location for the fishing business and the building of vessels for the 
fisheries and coasting trade. In time, ship-building was prosecuted by 
him, and subsequently by the Pepperrells, till its commerce was ex- 
tended along the coast, throughout the British West Indies, and with 
such European ports as the narrow policy of the mother Government 
permitted. 

Sir William Pepperrell, Bart, was born at Kittery Point, on the 22d 
of June, 1696, whei'e his father, also named William, had long been 
actively engaged in business. The last mentioned was born at Tavis- 
tock, in Wales, commencing life as a fisherman, and upon coming of 
age removed first to the Isle of Shoals, and subsequently to Kittery 



' 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 603 

Point, where he became connected with, and married a daughter of 
Mr. John Bray, and here he passed with uprightness and success the 
remainder of his days, which were closed in 1734, when in his eigh- 
tieth year. 

Ship-building was amongst the most profitable branches of business 
in which the Colonists engaged, — the Home Government having refused 
to listen to the complaints of the shipwrights on the Thames against 
their brethren in New England, who were their successful com- 
petitors. 

Pai'liament had prohibited the manufacture of woollens in the Colo- 
nies for transportation from one colony to another, and the hatters of 
London were favored with a law prohibiting those of the Colonies 
from employing more than one apprentice each ; but the Board of 
Trade decided that it would not do to prohibit ship-building in the 
Colonies, so this branch flourislied. Notwithstanding the very circum- 
scribed field which the Government left untrammelled, and the thou- 
sands of obstacles with which the commerce of a new country has 
usually to grapple with, Mr. Pepperrell succeeded in almost every 
enterprise in which he embarked. He, as well as all the other early 
settlers, had to qualify themselves for savage warfare, and their fore- 
sight soon rendered the settlement more secure than others against 
attacks from their Indian foes. 

The military services of Sir William's father during the first few 
years of his residence here were performed at the fort on Great 
Island. A garrison-house was first maintained near his house at 
Kittery Point, to which families might resort when threatened by 
sudden assaults from Indians, and as early as 1700 a fort was erected 
which bore his name. Williamson says : — " The celebrated warrior, 
Colonel Church, in his Eastern expedition in 1704, with 500 men, had 
orders to send his sick and wounded to Casco, (now Portland,) or to 
Pepperrell's fort at Kittery Point. A breastwork was erected north- 
erly of the point, and a platform laid for six guns, of which Captain 
Pepperrell had command. He finally rose to the rank of Lieutenant- 
Colonel." 

The son, our future hero, at sixteen bore arms and was on patrol 
duty. Savage warfare was rife in those days ; neighbors had been 
captured and killed ; the Lady Ursula Cutts, after providing hospi- 
tably for her friends, the Waldron family, was attacked by lurking 
Indians and slain, together with her laboring men ; more than a score 
had been killed at Rye, some three miles distant, and another party 
came there and killed fourteen, captured four, burnt the village, and 



604 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

fled. Besides these there were massacres at Salmon Falls, Cocheco, 
and Oyster River. 

In this school was fostered the martial spirit of the younger 
Pepperrell, which, at a subsequent period, shed such lustre upon 
the arms of the Colonists, and prompted exertions which resulted 
in transcendent advantage to New England and our mother country. 

During the entire period of youth he was attached to his father's 
counting-house, and therefore his education was exclusively practical. 
Upon becoming of age he was taken into copartnership by his father. 
At times they had hundreds of fishing vessels on the Banks and at the 
Shoals. Timber was rafted down the rivers for their ship-building, 
which was their greatest source of wealth. The proceeds of vessels 
and cargoes sent abroad were remitted to their bankers in England, 
who accepted their bills for merchandise required at home. Naval 
stores and provisions were received from the Southern Colonies in 
exchange for fish. 

The value of their estates was greatly enhanced by the purchase of 
extensive tracts of land. The towns of Saco and Scarborough were 
included in one of these purchases, upon which improvements were at 
once commenced. Mills were erected, and contracts made for build- 
ing vessels on the Piscataqua and Saco rivers. 

In 1715, the elder Pepperrell was appointed a Judge of the Com- 
mon Pleas, and continued on the bench for many years : his son 
served as Clerk of the Court during the latter part of his minority. 

A Congregational church was organized at Kittery in 1714, over 
which the Rev. John Newmarch Avas pastor, and in later life was 
assisted by the Rev. Benjamin Stevens. Colonel Pepperrell and wife 
were members of it from the beginning, and their son was admitted 
to communion on the decease of his father in 1734, at which period 
he seems to have received strong religious impressions, which happily 
influenced all his after life. 

To this church the father bequeathed sixty pounds for church plate, 
and one hundred and ten pounds for the poor of the parish. 

The ascendency which the Pepperrell firm enjoyed over every 
other mercantile house in New England gave it a large agency in 
the transactions of the pecuniary affairs of the Provinces with the 
mother country. This branch of the business was conducted by the 
junior partner, and as it brought him in contact with the public men 
at Boston, it tended to render his manners courtly, and favored his 
advancement in political and military life. He had no sooner passed 
through his minority than he was commissioned a Justice of the Peace 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 605 

and Captain of a company of cavalry. Soon promoted, he was at the 
age of thirty a Colonel, and commanded all the militia of Maine. 

On the 16th of March, 1723, he led to the altar Mary Hirst, a 
daughter of Grove Hirst, and granddaughter of Chief Justice Sewall, 
of Massachusetts. This happy union was dissolved only by the death 
of Sir William at the end of thirty-six years. Two of their children 
only survived childhood; Elizabeth, born December 29, 1723, who 
married the Hon. Nathaniel Sparhawk, and Andrew, born January 4, 
1726, who died unmarried. Sir William remained at the homestead 
of his father after his marriage, large additions having been made for 
his accommodation. In 1726 he was elected a Representative to the 
General Court, and the next year was appointed a member of the 
Council of Massachusetts, which commission was annually renewed 
to the close of his life, eighteen years of which he was its President. 

He was appointed Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in 1730, in 
which office he also continued through life. He had imported a law 
library in order to qualify himself by study for the performance of the 
duties of the office. Dr. Stevens says : — " Here it was, that, being 
intrusted with the execution of the laws, he distributed justice with 
equity and impartiality ; and although he was not insensible to the 
necessity of discountenancing vice by proper punishments, yet the 
humanity of his temper disposed him to make all those allowances 
which might be alleged in extenuation of the fault." 

In 1727, a new tier of towns in the rear of those on the seaboard, 
extending from Salmon Falls to Androscoggin River, was surveyed, 
and offered to settlers on the most favorable terms. This was done to 
protect the old towns that had suffered so much by Indian depreda- 
tions, and also to provide farms for those who fought in the Indian 
wars, or who had suffered heavy losses by fire and the tomahawk. 
Agents were appointed by the General Court to convey these lands to 
such claimants and to other settlers. Phillipstown (now Sandford) 
was assigned to the agency of Colonel Pepperrell, who signed the 
deeds of conveyance. 

Colonel Pepperrell never refused any public service he was called 
upon to perform, and by early rising, economy of time, and punctual- 
ity to engagements, (in which he was also scrupulously exacting of 
others,) he was ready to embark in all new enterprises, both public 
and private, that promised a favorable result. A war was now ap- 
proaching between Great Britain and France. These rival nations 
could hardly over-estimate the importance to their American posses- 
sions of the Islands of Cape Breton and Newfoundland, as between 

51* 



606 BIOGRAPHCAL NOTICES. 

these two sentinels all supplies and intercourse must pass (through the 
St. Lawrence) between France and the Canadas. Both were en- 
gaged in the fisheries on the Banks near Louisburg. The trade of 
the British Colonies was of great importance to the mother country, 
and amongst other advantages, it supplied ship-timber for the 
navy. 

Armed vessels, during war, fitted out at Louisburg, could intercept 
the Colonial trade of the rival nation, and destroy its fisheries ; and 
from the ealiest settlement it was contended for, and alternately passed 
into the hands of one or the other, as success or defeat attended its 
arms in other quarters. At the Treaty of Utrecht, Nova Scotia 
proper was ceded to Great Britain, while Cape Breton was retained 
by France. 

Soon as the war of 1744 was declared by France against England, 
the commander of Louisburg dispatched a force of 900 men to the 
British garrison at the Island of Canso, which was captured, and the 
prisoners conveyed to Louisburg before news of the war had reached 
the British Colonies. A like expedition against the fort at Annapolis- 
royal failed, in consequence of the arrival of a reinforcement of troops 
from Boston. 

The Indians of Nova Scotia aided the French in these attacks, 
which caused a declaration of war against them. Colonel Pepperrell 
was at the head of a commission sent to the Penobscot tribe to test 
their fidelity, requesting the Sagamores to furnish their quota of war- 
riors, according to the terms of a former treaty. They replied that 
" their young men would not fight against their brethren of St. John's 
and New Brunswick." 

Through the autumn of 1744 it was a conceded topic that Louisburg 
must be wrested from the French. From the prisoners taken at 
Canso in the spring, and which had lately returned to Boston by ex- 
change, an accurate estimate of the strength of the fortifications was 
obtained, and gave to Governor Shirley the idea of taking it by sur- 
prise before succors could arrive from France. The plan was sub- 
mitted to the Legislature of Massachusetts by the Governor and 
finally agreed upon. A variety of circumstances concurred to render 
the expedition feasible. Many fishermen, thrown out of employment 
by the war, were ready to enlist as soldiers. The preceding season 
had afforded an abundant harvest, which made provisions plenty. The 
winter following was mild, the rivers and harbors were open, and the 
inhabitants unmolested by savages. Happy incidents drew the naval 
force of England, employed to guard the shores and islands of 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 607 

America, to Louisburg, whilst adverse circumstances to the French 
prevented the arrival of succors. The number of troops voted was : 
by Massachusetts, 3250 ; Rhode Island, 300 ; New Hampshire, 300 ; 
and Connecticut, 500. The whole number of armed vessels was 
fourteen in the Provincial fleet, carrying about two hundred guns. 

There were no military officers at that time in New England ex- 
perienced in European tactics and warfare from whom a Commander- 
in-Chief of the expedition could be selected. Few only had been 
engaged in skirmishes with the Indians, but none had served in any 
siege or pitched battle. 

Colonel Pepperrell was, on the 31st of January, 1745, chosen Com- 
mander. He was extensively engaged in the fisheries and known 
throughout New England; was popular in manners, and wealthy, be- 
sides being the largest subscriber to the loan for carrying on the enter- 
prise. He had also long held the highest office in the people's gift, 
the Presidency of the Council. He hesitated about accepting the 
appointment, until Governor Shirley assured him that his influence 
was indispensable, and after consulting his friends, amongst them the 
famous preacher Whitefield, he, with diffidence, concluded to accept, 
much to the joy of his fellow-colonists. 

The popularity of the General secured a rapid enlistment of troops 
in every quarter, and from the town of Berwick, adjoining Kittery, 
the two militia companies belonging to it, of fifty each, turned out to a 
man. 

Louisburg, on the Island of Cape Breton, is thus described by Dr. 
Belknap, the historian: — "It was two and a half miles in circumfer- 
ence, fortified in every accessible part, with a rampart of stone up- 
wards of thirty feet high, and a ditch eighty feet wide ; a space of two 
hundred yards was left without a rampart, on the side next the sea, 
and inclosed with pickets. The sea was so shallow at this place that 
it made only a narrow channel, inaccessible, from its numerous reefs, to 
any shipping whatever. On an island at the entrance of the harbor, 
which was only four hundred yards wide, was a battery of thirty can- 
non, carrying twenty-eight pound shot, and at the bottom of the har- 
bor, directly opposite to the entrance, was the grand battery of twenty- 
eight 42's, and two 18's. On an eminence, opposite the island batteiy, 
stood the light-house, and at the northeast part of the harbor was a 
magazine for naval stores. The entrance to the town was at the west 
gate over a drawbridge, which was protected by a circular battery of 
thirteen 24's. These works had been twenty-five years in building, 
and cost more than six millions of dollars. This place was, in peace, 



608 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

a safe retreat for French ships bound home from the East and "West 
Indies, and, in war, a place most favorable for piivateers to seize fish- 
ing and coasting-vessels and British mei'chantmen." 

The Rev. Dr. Bun-oughs, of Portsmouth, thus describes this expe- 
dition, the most remarkable in our history : — 

" The French had built a city and fortress on the Island of Cape 
Breton, which, in honor of their King, was called Louisburg. Their 
fisheries in the seas in its vicinity produced one million four hundred 
thousand quintals annually, and they annoyed the Colonial fishermen 
so much that the fishing interest of Massachusetts and New Hamp- 
shire resolved on the destruction of Louisburg, and the expulsion of 
the French from the fishing-grounds. 

" The Colonies south of New England declined to aid in so mad an 
enterprise, though urged to do so ; and Dr. Franklin, as if forgetting 
that he was ' Boston born,' ridiculed the project in one of the wittiest 
letters he ever wrote. The spirit of New England was up. A feel- 
ing something like that which caused the Crusades prevailed among 
the people. Religion shouted Popery^ and even Whitefield made a 
recruiting house of the sanctuary, and he not only preached Delenda 
est Carthago, but furnished the following motto for Pepperrell's flag, 
Nil desperandum Christo duce ; and one of his followers joined the 
troops as a Chaplain, and carried an axe on his shoulder with 
■which to hew down the Catholic images in the churches of the fated 
city. 

" The orders of Governor Shirley to General Pepperrell were, to 
proceed with his hundred armed vessels and store-ships to Canso, 
there to build a block-house, deposit his stores, and leave two compa- 
nies for a guard. Thence to sail with the fleet and army to Cabarus 
Bay, (within three miles of Louisburg,) where he was to arrive in 
the evening, and anchor under cover of darkness, forthwith to land 
his men, and commence an attack without delay ! ! These were pre- 
posterous ideas of the lawyer-govei'nor : that a hundred sail could 
arrive at a given point at a precise time ; that the weather and winds 
would be favorable ; that the rocky ridges pointing the shores, and the 
ice and fog were to be avoided by all ; that a certain harbor was to be 
made at nightfall in an unexplored bay ; that a landing was to be 
effected immediately, amidst a heavy surge ; and then the soldiers to 
take up a march in the dark, through a ravine, bog, and woods, and, 
after travelling three miles, to commence pulling down pickets with 
grappling irons, and scale walls thirty feet high with ladders, all in the 
space of one short night ! ! 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 609 

" On the 24th of March the fleet and transports of Massachusetts 
troops sailed from Nantasket Roads. They harbored for three days 
at Sheepscot, and arrived at Canso on the 1st of April. The New 
Hampshire troops had previously arrived, and the Connecticut portion 
came in some ten days after. On the 23d of April, Commodore War- 
ren's squadron of three ships of the line arrived at Canso to cooper- 
ate in the attack. The ice which had detained them being removed, 
the entire army embarked on the 29th, intending to arrive at Cabarus 
Bay in the evening, but the wind having subsided prevented their 
reaching it until the next morning. This was the first intimation to 
the garrison and city of Louisburg of the intended invasion, and it 
greatly alarmed the troops and inhabitants. About half the forces 
were landed on that day, and the remainder, with the provisions, on 
the two next succeeding days. Their encampment was so near the 
enemy's works that shot from their guns reached them. 

" Gen. Pepperrell lost no time in commencing a siege. Alarmed 
by the appearance of so large a force, the enemy abandoned the grand 
battery the next day, which was taken possession of by a body of our 
troops under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Vaughan. The French, 
upon discovering their mistake, sent a hundred men in four boats to 
retake it, but Vaughan resisted until a reinforcement came to him, 
when the enemy retired, leaving the Royal Battery in his possession. 
This battery consisted of twenty-eight 42's, two 18's, besides two 
hundred and eighty shells, and other munitions of war. The siege 
was now conducted with great spirit to the end. 

" On the loth of June, the fleet, comprising eleven ships of from 
forty to sixty guns, anchored in a line near the city, making an impos- 
ing spectacle. The General ordered six hundred Provincials on board 
to augment their crews. Commodore Warren came on shore, and the 
troops being paraded, the General and Commodore exhorted them in 
stirring speeches to exhibit their bravery and skill during the designed 
attack. 

" The Governor, Duchambou, now hopeless of averting the impend- 
ing storm, his batteries being sadly damaged, and many of his guns 
dismounted, the houses mostly demolished, and his troops worn out by 
the seven weeks siege, besides the sti'ong force surrounding him by 
sea and land, could not do otherwise than surrender. Accordingly, 
terms of capitulation, honorable to both parties, were entered into on 
the 16th of June, 1745, and the keys of the city and stores were de- 
livered to the victors. On the 17th the Provincial Army marched 
into the fortress and paraded in a line in front of the French troops 



610 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

who were drawn up to receive them. Salutations being exchanged, 
formal possession was taken, and a banquet prepared, by order of 
General Pepperrell, for the officers." 

By the foregoing account it will be seen that the original plan of 
attack was by no means observed, yet, to the surprise of all, the for- 
tress and city fell. 

The loss of the Provincials was 130, and of the French 300, killed 
within the works ; which, with the shattered condition of the city and 
fortifications, proved that the 9000 cannon balls and 600 bombs thrown 
into them had done execution. By the capitulation, 4130 prisoners 
engaged not to bear arms against Great Britain or New England for 
a year. They were embarked on board fourteen cartel-ships, and 
transported to Rochefort, in France ; 76 cannon and mortars fell into 
the hands of the victors, besides other property to an immense amount ; 
also provisions in the city for five or six months. Upon entering the 
fortress and observing its strength, the stoutest hearts were appalled, 
and the practicability of taking it by surprise, as at first contemplated, 
appeared entirely futile. The captors, by keeping the flag of France 
on the ramparts, decoyed and captured ships and cargoes worth several 
millions of dollars. 

" The conquest of Louisburg," says Smollett, " was the most impor- 
tant achievement of the war." And another author remarks that 
" New England gave peace to Europe by raising, arming, and trans- 
porting 4000 men, whose success proved an equivalent for all the suc- 
cesses of the French upon the Continent." 

Capt. Montague was sent express with the news of the surrender 
to London, and was presented by the Lords Commissioners of the 
Admiralty with 500 guineas. The Tower and Park guns were fired, 
and at night were bonfii-es and illuminations in the city, and a general 
rejoicing pervaded the kingdom. Pepperrell and "Warren were com- 
plimented by the Duke of Newcastle for their harmonious coopera- 
tion. The latter could not have raised an army of volunteers, nor 
have controlled them by gentle means ; accustomed to command tur- 
bulent sailors, he could discipline them only by main force. They 
both endeavored to be faithful, and were crowned with success. War- 
ren was promoted to the grade of Admiral. 

Fortune adhered to Pepperrell in this as in all his commercial en- 
terprises, and his good judgment and personal bravery were not want- 
ing in the accomplishment of the great work. Without ambition of 
mil ary preferment, this opulent and busy merchant left the attractions 
of home at the call of his country, and endured the fatigues of a camp 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 611 

upon a doubtful and perilous enterprise. To be sure, his troops were 
not mei'cenaries, — they volunteered to defend their firesides, and pro- 
tect their fishing-grounds. 

The General was rewarded with the Colonelcy of a regiment in the 
British Army, and a Baronetcy ; while Col. Vaughan, his second in 
command, who had performed prodigies of valor, was suffered to die 
neglected. 

After this brilliant achievement Gen. Pepperrell repaired to Eng- 
land, and was presented to the King, (George II.,) who said to him, 
" How can I best reward your great services," to which the General 
replied, " By keeping a suiRcient force on the Banks of Newfoundland 
to protect the thousands of fishermen for whom I find employment 
there." Struck by the disinterestedness of the answer, he presented 
him with a superb snuftbox, having upon the cover, in bas-relief, the 
appropriate representation of the interview between Alexander and 
Diogenes.-' His Majesty could well appreciate the sacrifices and 
services of Gen. Pepperrell, having been himself a soldier in early 
life. He led a squadron at the battle of Oudenard, in the Nether- 
lands, 11th of July, 1708, in which his horse was shot under him. 

The city of London presented Gen. Pepperrell with a silver table, 
covered with a service of plate ; and when the seizure of Loyalist 
property took place in the early part of our Revolution, it was ex- 
empted by the people and sent under a flag with a guard, in charge 
of Sheriff Moulton, of Maine, to Boston, then in possession of British 
troops, for his grandson and heir, the last Baronet of the name, who, 
having been a Mandamus Councillor, afterwards retreated to England, 
a Loyalist Refugee. 

Early in 1748, Sir William notified his correspondents that he had 
retired from mercantile pursuits, and recommended his son as suc- 
cessor to the extensive business he had so long guided. And it ap- 
pears to have been his highest ambition to educate this son for so 
important and useful a position. He was taken into copartnership 
by his father, after having graduated with the highest honors at Har- 
vard University ; and by industry and ability on the part of the son 
the wishes of the father were fully realized, and he looked forward to 
the continuance of a business, through him, which himself had so long 
successfully managed, for the advantage of the community. 

At this period Sir William was much afflicted with rheumatism, 
from which he never entirely recovered, and which he attributed to 

1 Owned by the editor. 



612 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

the cold weather during the siege of Louisburg, and the dilapidated 
condition of his head-quarters thei-e during the succeeding winter. 

We need not wonder at his desire to be relieved from some portion 
of his cares, and it is almost incredible that one man could, for so long 
a period, be able to attend to such numerous and varied duties. He 
was more extensively engaged in the fisheries than any other man. 
Owner of saw-mills on several rivers, ship-building had ever been 
carried on by him to a great extent, even to the building of frigates 
for Government. He was manager of the largest landed interests in 
New England, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, President of the 
Governor's Council, a Colonel in the regular Army, Superintendent 
and Accountant of the Recruiting Service, and Commander-in-Chief of 
the militia of Maine, and also a Commissioner to treat with the In- 
dians. Yet his friend and pastor, the Rev. Dr. Stevens, in his funeral 
sermon, said it was a common remark that he succeeded in everything 
he undertook. 

His constant intercourse with all classes gave him a clear perceptioa 
of character, which, no doubt, contributed largely to his influence. 
His estimate of character was quite apparent in the selection of his 
friends. Governors Belcher, of Massachusetts, and Wolcott, of Con- 
necticut, who served under him, he loved and honored. Waldo, his 
associate in many offices ; Bradstreet, his Lieut.-Colonel ; Hill, of Ber- 
wick, and Meserve, of New Hampshire, were admired by him. He 
was also on the best of terms with the clergy, far and near. 

From Portsmouth, England, August 13, 1749, Admiral Wan-en 
wrote to Sir William that the money voted by Parliament for reim- 
bursing the Provinces for the Louisburg expenses would be remitted 
by the vessel in which his letter was sent, and he hoped it would have 
the good effect of establishing a silver medium. Six hundred and 
fifty-three thousand ounces of silver were landed at Long Wharf, 
Boston, placed in wagons, and carried through the streets amidst great 
rejoicing. 

At the peace of 1749, Louisburg was restored to France, much to 
the dissatisfaction of Sir William and all New England. And in the 
war which preceded the Revolution by about twenty years it was cap- 
tured a second time, and miners were sent from England to reduce its 
walls to rubbish. In this second capture Wolfe distinguished himself. 
He sailed from this doomed city for Quebec at the head of 8000 men, 
to rise from a sick bed and die satisfied on the plains which his name 
has made immortal. Louisburg, now desolate, had nunneries and 
palaces ; 206 cannon were mounted to perpetuate French dominion 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 613 

over it, 6000 troops garrisoned its fortress, and a fleet of ships of the 
line was moored in its waters. But yet, though called the Dunkirk of 
America, because of its excessive strength, it fell, and now it is scarcely 
known that such a place ever existed. None but fishermen now visit 
it, and they for shelter, not for traffic. 

After the restoration of Louisburg to the French in 1749, the Eng- 
lish Provincials commenced a settlement at Halifax, where the land 
was good and mast-timber abundant. 

A disagreement having occurred between the Rev. Jonathan Ed- 
wards and his church at Noi'thampton, he received proposals from the 
Commissioners at Boston of the " Society in London for Propagating 
the Gospel in New England " to become the missionary of the Stock- 
bridge Indians. Among distinguished individuals who took an interest 
in this tribe was Joshua Paine, Esq., of London, who requested infor- 
mation of Sir William respecting the establishment of a school for 
Indian gii'ls at that place. Mr. Edwards gave his views of the matter 
in a letter to Sir William, who took much interest in the Indian Mis- 
sion. The latter wrote to Admiral Warren upon the subject. The 
Admiral, who at first intended to appropriate the seven hundred pounds 
sterling, which the Government allowed him as a commission on the dis- 
bursements in the Louisburg expenditure, to the support of a Protes- 
tant church in Ireland, and subsequently changed his purpose to that 
of building a town-hall at Cambridge, Massachusetts, was now induced 
by Sir William to appropriate it towards educating the Indians. In 
reply to Sir William's letter, Admiral Warren says : " 1 am pleased 
with the idea of bringing the Indians to Christianity, and have written 
to Secretary Willard that I shall be glad if the £700 sterling, which I 
have ever intended for public use, might be improved for that, instead 
of building a town-hall at Cambridge." Thus the success which en- 
sued at Stockbridge was greatly promoted through the suggestion and 
influence of Sir William, 

To Sir Peter Kenwood, his correspondent in England, Sir William 
wrote in 1749-50 that his regiment was disbanded, and he allowed 
half-pay as a Colonel, which did not amount to the interest of the money 
he had expended at Louisburg out of his estate. That his son had 
received some consignments, and had ordered the building of several 
ships for gentlemen abroad, and that he had acquired the character of 
a diligent and honest man, which afforded him great comfort. 

On the 1st of March, 1751, Sir William was doomed to meet an 
awful dispensation of Providence, in the death of his only son, then 
in his twenty-sixth year. 

52 



614 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Some author has stated that the fate of greatness is to weep un- 
pitied, but the aphorism did not hold good in this instance, for Sir 
William lived for others instead of himself. His wealth and patron- 
age had scattered blessings all around him, by which he had disarmed 
envy and secured universal respect. The afflicted mother mourning 
her beloved son, the fond sister bewailing the loss of her accomplished 
brother, and the bereaved father shuddering at this first blow his house 
had ever sustained, presented a picture truly appalling. The prop of 
life, the heir to his title and estate, had been removed just as he was 
prepared to enter the most important scenes of life. His pillar and 
support being gone, the old hero continued his preparation, early 
begun, for an event which he felt might not be far distant. He 
soon rallied, however, and his useful life was prolonged for several 
years. 

Sir William had been a Commissioner for forming most of the trea- 
ties with the Indians since the year 1720. On the 20th of September, 
1753, a conference was held at St. George's, near the Penobscot 
and Kennebec rivers, between the following Commissioners, viz : Sir 
Wm. Pepperrell, Jacob Wendall, John Winslow, and James Bowdoin, 
and the chiefs of the Penobscot tribe. Former treaties were renewed, 
and the conference being ended, the presents ordered by Government 
were delivered, and after drinking the health of the King, the Commis- 
sioners took leave and the chiefs retired. 

In 1754, Governor Shirley requested Sir William to meet him at 
Fort Richmond, (now Waterville,) as he wished to advise with him 
respecting the building of a fort still higher up the Kennebec River, 
and the demolition of Fort Richmond. 

When the expeditions of 1755, against Du Quesne, Crown Point, 
and Niagara were projected, it was expected that Sir William would 
attack Niagara at the head of his own regiment under Gov. Shirley, 
but in June, while he was filling his regiment, he received a commis- 
sion of Major- General from the King, which entitled him to higher 
command. 

Col. Sparhawk, of the Legislature of Massachusetts, and son-in-law 
of Sir William, writes to the latter, under date of June 14: "I tell 
your friends that I don't know if you can be excused if you desire it, 
and that, from your advices to your family, you fully intend to go, 
which I think the safest answer. I hope you will, if consistently with 
your honor, excuse yourself from going on the expedition. You know 
that when you went to Louisburg, though Gov. Shirley tarried in 
Boston the whole time, his friends ascribed a great deal to him, and 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 615 

as he will now be at the head of the expedition, distinguish yourself 
as much as you will, he will have the honor and applause." 

Again, 24th of June, " I am concerned to have you fairly excused, 
and it is said you may, if you please, and that it is inconsistent, as 
you are a general officer, to act under one of inferior rank." 

Sir William was ordered by Governor Shirley to command the 
eastern frontier, which, residing as he did in Maine, and knowing its 
condition and danger, was judicious, and thus relieved him from the 
expedition, which, however, was finally abandoned. 

In January, 1756, Governor Shirley applied to the Legislature for 
3000 men, for the support of which he loaned the Province £30,000 
out of the Government money in his hands. The Governor aimed at 
securing Sir William's services in the Council, by offering him the 
command of the troops which were to operate against Crown Point. 
But having accomplished his object, revoked his promise, and conferred 
the command on General Winslow. 

Very few^ would have submitted quietly to the slights of Governor 
Shirley. After complimenting the Provincial troops in unmeasured 
terms in his letters to the Duke of Newcastle respecting the capture 
of Louisburg, he said nothing complimentary of General Pepperell's 
faithful services, although he had done all that a vigilant and intrepid 
commander could do, and had advanced a large sum out of his own 
fortune to carry on the expedition, and received but partial remunera- 
tion for his services and sacrifices. 

Sir William writes thus to his friend. Sir Peter Kenwood : " Gov- 
ernor Shirley would not let me go against the French, neither last 
year nor this, and now I think I am too old. Affairs have been man- 
aged badly here, and we are in miserable circumstances, and have lost 
many of our young men and much of our strength. We have done 
nothing here against the French for two or three years past, but it is 
to be observed that there was no American officer in command." 

Shirley was recalled, and after his embarkation for London, Sep- 
tember 12th, 1756, the government devolved on Lieut. - Governor 
Phips, and by his death, in the following March, on the Council, of 
which Sir William was President, and Governor de facto until Gov- 
ernor Pownall's arrival, on the 3d of August, 1757. 

Sir WiUiam was also in command of Castle William, in Boston har- 
bor, as well as of the whole military forces of Massachusetts, with the 
rank of Lieutenant-General. The new Governor was well received, 
and in performance of the ceremony of taking possession of the castle, 
when Sir William presented the keys, he remarked that this fortress 



616 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

was the key of the Province ; to which Governor Pownall replied, 
" The interest of the Province is in your heart, and I shall be always 
glad to see the keys in your hands." A well-timed compliment. 

He complains in various letters that he had not been consulted by 
Shirley and others in command on the frontiers in relation to the ex- 
peditions, and intimates that the disastrous termination of the cam- 
paigns was in a measure owing to this neglect. Histoi'ians condemn 
Braddock for not listening to the counsels of Washington ; and Shir- 
ley, Loudon, and Abercrombie, deeming it beneath their dignity to 
call Pepperrell into council, evinced their own incompetency and were 
severally ordered home, while Pepperrell ever retained the confidence 
of the mother Government. 

The campaign of 1758 was successful, and resulted in the recapture 
of Louisburg, so grateful to our hero, for nothing could have pained 
him more than its reversion to the enemy by the treaty of 1748. 

In the annals of history the first conquest of Louisburg stands out 
in bold relief, and Mr. Pitt, having satisfied himself that no man in 
America wielded so powerful an influence as Sir William, and that in 
times of trouble all eyes were turned to him as a leader under whose 
banner they were ready to march en masse to meet the foe, induced his 
Majesty the King to honor him, on the 20th of February, 1759, with 
the commission of a Lieutenant-General of the Royal Army. This 
honor, as well as the previous one of Baronet, had never before 
been conferred on a native American, which fact greatly enhances 
their value, particularly as it was for services rendered his native 
country. 

His health soon after failed, and he was unable to take the field, but 
his life was spared until the British and Provincial armies approxi- 
mated the conquest of a vast region, long held by France, and soon 
after added to the British Empire. He died on the 6th of July, 
1759, at his seat in Kittery, at the age of sixty-three. His funeral 
was public and attended by a vast concourse. The drooping flags at 
half-mast on both shores of the Piscataqua, the solemn knell from 
neighboring churches, the responsive minute guns from all the bat- 
teries, and the mournful rumbling of muffled drums, announced that a 
public benefactor had fallen and was descending to the tomb. 

The writer of his obituary notice at the time, probably the Rev. 
Dr. Stevens, remarks that " the sickness whereof he died was of long 
continuance, and was accompanied with great pain, which gave occa- 
sion for the exercise of exemplaiy patience." 

The life of this eminent man shows that a vast amount of good can 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 617 

be accomplished in several walks of life, at the same period, by indus- 
try and a systematic appropriation of time. 

Sir William was distinguished for his fine address ; he had a taste 
for refined society, of which he was the life ; he possessed but little 
knowledge of books, but by being in constant intercourse with man- 
kind few were better acquainted than himself with those with whom 
he came in contact. He expended liberally in the purchase of books, 
and was guided in the selection of them by his pastor, the Rev. Dr. 
Stevens. His library comprised the best English editions of stand- 
ard works. 

A large number of volumes were selected, which, added to the con- 
tributions of others, formed a revolving library for the benefit of the 
parishes of Kittery and York, — each enjoying its advantages at certain 
periods of the year. He contributed generously to his own church 
and parish, and gave a four-acre lot for a church at Saco, as well as a 
liberal sum to the College at Princeton, New Jersey. 

Public benefactions were not common in those days ; besides, he was 
surrounded by a very poor population, who required daily relief His 
will shows that he had many poor relatives who had anticipated their 
legacies and yet required his further aid. 

After the death of her husband. Lady Pepperrell erected an ele- 
gant house near that of her son-in-law, Col. Sparhawk, and the village 
church ; here she died on the 25th of November, 1789. Her natural 
and acquired powers were highly respectable, and she was admired for 
her wit and suavity of manners. 

The old mansion which Sir William inherited from his parents is 
plain in architecture, but contains a great many rooms ; it was well 
adapted to the extensive domains and hospitalities of its former own- 
ers. The lawn, in front, extends to the sea, and the restless waves, 
over which Sir William sought fortune and fame, still glitter in the 
sunbeams and dash around the disconsolate abode. The fires of an- 
cient hospitality are extinguished, and the present inhabitants of the 
mansion (many families of poor fishermen) seem to wish to exclude 
all visitors and strangers. The hall is spacious and well finished ; the 
ceiling ornamented — and the richly carved banisters bear traces of 
former elegance. On ascending the staircase, paintings of angels' 
heads decorate the hall window. All traces of comfort, however, 
seem annihilated. In a field near the old mansion is the tomb — a 
melancholy memento of the frailty of human greatness. It is highly 
ornamented with the family arms, and an inscription records that it 
was erected in 1734 to the memory of the parents of the Baronet, but 

52* 



618 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

there is no notice of the death of the victor of Louisburg. In this 
mansion, where he was born and died, the Baronet always lived suit- 
able to his rank, and extended hospitality to the numerous visitors . 
who flocked to see and converse with the victor of Louisburg. His 
walls were hung with costly mirrors and paintings ; his sideboards and 
cellars were filled with the choicest viands, and his park stocked with 
deer. He had a retinue of servants, costly equipage, and a splendid 
barge with liveried oarsmen. His dress was of the expensive kind 
worn by the noblemen of that day — scarlet broadcloth trimmed with 
gold-lace, a cocked hat similarly trimmed, and a large powdered wig. 
A full-length, life-sized historical portrait of him adorns the gallery of 
the Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, placed there by the editor 
in 1821. 

Elizabeth, the only child that survived Sir William, was married 
on the 1st of May, 1742, to the Hon. Nathaniel Sparhawk, a counsellor 
and judge. He was a son of the Rev. John Sparhawk, of Bristol, 
and a brother of the Rev. John Sparhawk, of Salem, Massachusetts. 

The address of Col. Sparhawk was dignified and elegant — he was 
liberally educated and possessed a refined taste. A few years ago 
there was a fine avenue of trees leading to his house at Kittery Point. 
The large walls of the entrance-hall of this mansion were covered 
with portraits of the Pepperrell and Sparhawk families, and of the 
friends and companions-in-arms of Sir William. Some of them were 
rescued from destruction by that excellent antiquarian and elegant 
historical writer, the late Rev. Dr. Burroughs, of Portsmouth, and 
grace the walls of the Athenaeum there. 

Soon after the decease of his son. Sir William sent for David 
Sewall, Esq., of York, afterwards United States District Judge of 
Maine, to make a will for him which would convey his worldly pos- 
sessions to his posterity, and the desire he displayed to secure wealth 
to his grandchildren was apparent throughout. The bulk of it was 
entailed upon many generations, and the name of Pepperrell was an 
appendage which the heirs successively were obliged to assume. He 
thought it secure ; but the best laid plans of mortals are often frus- 
trated by that Being who controls all events ; and, notwithstanding 
the entailment, his princely domain was confiscated, because in pos- 
session of the last Baronet of the name, (a grandson of the first,) who 
was a Mandamus Councillor and a Refugee Loyalist in 1775. 

After a rich provision for Lady Pepperrell and his grandchildren, 
and numerous legacies to relatives, to the parish poor, and the church 
at Kittery Point, and for a school to be kept there, he designated his 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.. 619 

grandson, William Pepperrell Spai'hawk, as residuary legatee of his 
estate, on condition that, upon his becoming of age, an Act should be 
passed by the Massachusetts Government permitting his assumption 
of the name of Pepperrell and the relinquishment of that of Spar- 
hawk. In pursuance of this, a law was passed authorizing the change, 
and the honor of baronetcy was conferred upon him by the King, in 
October, 1774. 

The young Baronet could not realize the necessity of the decided 
political movements of the day, nor did he believe that the eventual 
success of the Colonists would repay the cost and suffering of the pend- 
ing struggle with the mother country, so he retreated to England in 
1775. 

His course, which constituted the treason for which acts of banish- 
ment and confiscation were subsequently passed upon him, is set forth 
in the resolutions which we shall introduce. His acts therein referred 
to, were committed before a government to which treason could apply 
had been created, and he fully maintained his allegiance to the Gov- 
ernment de facto and de jure, and obeyed the only laws then in force. 
For his loyalty he suffered, besides banishment, the forfeiture of an 
immense estate, bequeathed only in trust, to be transmitted to others 
if male heirs failed in his line, and which no act of confiscation could 
legally reach. Tlie reversal of a similar case in our courts, some 
thirty years ago, caused the State of New York to refund to John 
Jacob Astor, Esq., assignee of the Morris claim, five hundred thousand 
dollars. 

On the 16th November, 1774, in a County Congress held at Wells, 
York County, Maine, the following resolutions were passed, viz. : — 

" Resolved. Whereas the late Sir William Pepperrell, honored and 
respected in Great Britain and America for his eminent services, did 
honestly acquire an extensive real estate in this county, and gave the 
highest evidence, not only of his being a sincere friend to the rights of 
man in general, but of having a paternal love to this county in partic- 
ular ; and whereas the said Sir William, by his last will and testa- 
ment, made his grandson residuary legatee and possessor of the great- 
est part of said estate, who hath, with purpose to carry into force Acts 
of the British Parliament, made with apparent design to enslave the 
free and loyal people of this continent, accepted and now holds a 
seat in the pretended Board of Councillors in this Province, as well in 
direct repeal of the charter thereof, as against the solemn compact of 
kings and the inherent rights of the people : 

" It is therefore resolved, that he hath forfeited the confidence and 



620 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

friendship of all true friends of American liberty, and with other pre- 
tended councillors, now holding their seats in the Uke manner, ought to 
be detested by all good men ; and it is hereby recommended to the 
good people of this county, that as soon as the present leases made to 
any of them by him are expired, they immediately withdraw all con- 
nection, commerce, and dealings from him — and that they take no 
further lease or conveyance of his farms and mills until he shall re- 
sign his seat pretendedly occupied by mandamus. And if any person 
shall remain or become his tenants after the expiration of their present 
leases, we recommend to the good people of this county, not only to 
withdraw all connection and social intercourse with them, but to ti'eat 
them in the manner provided by the third resolve of this Congress." 

Sir William was allowed by the British Government a pension of 
five hundred pounds sterling for life, which, together with his planta- 
tion in Surinam and some money in the funds, enabled him to educate 
his children, and to contribute largely to the relief of his captive coun- 
trymen in Great Britain, and to faithfully serve his fellow-sufferers in 
the cause of loyalty. He lent his aid to all good works, and was 
otherwise exemplary in private life. He was one of the founders of 
the British and Foreign Bible Society. 

Sundry letters from Sir William in London, during the war, to 
Isaac Winsolw, Esq., in New York, who had married Miss Sparhawk, 
of Salem, a cousin of the Baronet, fully evince his charity for his polit- 
ical opponents, notwithstanding the bitterness which marked their 
conduct and writings. These letters were published in the Appendix 
to the third edition of this work in 1845. 

It is a remarkable feature in the published letters of the Loyalists 
throughout the Revolution, that they exhibit an ardent love of country 
and great liberality towards those who differed from them in political 
opinion, notwithstanding their sufferings from proscription, mobs, con- 
fiscation, and banishment. 

This second Sir William was graduated with high reputation at 
Harvard College, Cambridge, in 1766. He married Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of the Hon. Isaac Royall,^ of Medford, Massachusetts, and died 
in London, December 2, 1816, aged seventy, having previously lost, 
by death. Lady Pepperrell and their only son, whereby the baronetcy 
again became extinct. A likeness of him is owned by his relative, the 
editor. 

1 Founder of the Royall professorship of law in Harvard University. He was also a 
Loyalist Refugee, as was his other son-in-law, Hon. George Erviug, anolher founder 
of a Cambridge professorship. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 621 

Dr. Parsons ^ very justly remarks that " words and deeds before the 
Revolution deemed patriotic, were afterwards considered traitorous ; 
and so deeply was the idea of their moral turpitude impressed on the 
public mind as to have tainted popular opinions concerning the heroic 
deeds of our ancestors, performed in the King's service in the French 
wars. We have no sympathy with the joyous acclamations then 
bestowed on the successful victor returning from the field of glory to 
be crowned with laurels. We have felt no desire to perpetuate the 
fame of his achievements, although characterized at the time by patri- 
otism as pure and disinterested as any exhibited during or since the 
struggle of the Revolution. The latter war absorbed and neutralized 
all the heroic fame of the illustrious men that preceded, and the 
achievements of Pepperrell, Johnson, and of Bradstreet are now almost 
forgotten ; and the extinction of their fame, by the Revolution, was not 
more remarkable than the wreck of their fortunes. The Penns, Fair- 
faxes, Johnsons, Phillipses, Robinsons, Pepperells were stripped of 
their immense possessions by confiscation, who, up to that hour, ' had 
been but little less than hereditary Colonial noblemen and viceroys of 
boundless domain.' Pepperrell, it is said, could travel from Piscata- 
qua to Saco, nearly thirty miles, on his own soil ; and his possessions 
were large in Scarborough, Elliot, Berwick, Newington, Portsmouth, 
Hampton, and Hubbardstown. In Saco alone he owned fifty-five 
hundred acres, including the site of that populous town and its facto- 
ries. This princely fortune was, in a brief hour, demolished, and its 
fragments scattered broadcast by the Confiscation Act of 1778, and two 
great-grandsons of the hero of Louisburg have since been saved from 
the poor-house by the bounty of some individuals on whom they had 
no claim for favor." 

[The foregoing article, prepared by the editor of this book, was 
published in " Hunt's Merchants' Magazine," at New York, in July, 
1858.] 

Perkins, Thomas. For an account of this enterprising, opulent, 
and eminent Salem merchant, we have in vain examined the news- 
papers published at the period of his decease. The MSS. and records 
of the Marine Society afford us all the information we have been 
enabled to obtain. We find he was actively and successfully engaged, 

1 Life of Sir William Pepperell, Baronet. By Usher Parsons. Boston: Little, 
Brown & Co., 1855. 

In preparing the foregoing, much aid has been derived from this admirable work; 
abounding, as it does, in letters and documents, it cannot fail to satisfy the most 
exacting lover of detail. 



622 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

throiigbout the Revolutionary "War, in the privateer and letter-of- 
marque service as officer or commander. He was Captain of the 
privateers Spitfire and Thrasher, and successful. In the last men- 
tioned he captured six prizes in a single cruise. Himself and Joseph 
Peabody were officers of the letter-of-marque brig Ranger, Captain 
Simmons, when they repulsed an attack from three British barges in 
the Potomac River in 1782, — a very brilliant affifiir, in which the 
enemy lost, in killed and wounded, some fifty odd men. The particu- 
lars of this exploit may be seen in our article entitled Joseph Pea- 
body. It will be remembered by many that Messrs. Peabody & 
Perkins, companions in war, were also for a number of years partners 
in ships and general business. The late Mr. Michael Shepard, of dis- 
tinguished ability as a merchant, and of most exemplary character as 
a man, was afterwards associated with Mr. Perkins in business during 
the remainder of his life, and were of mutual service to each other. 

We transcribe the following from the Records of the Marine Society 
of Salem, December 30, 1830: — 

"A committee was appointed to take charge of the Franklin Build- 
ing, bequeathed to this Society by Capt. Thomas Perkins, deceased, a 
merchant of Salem, which we have estimated at thirteen thousand 
dollars." ^ 

CAPT. THOMAS PERKINS'S WILL. 

Mr. Thomas Perkins, a nephew of the devisor, has favored us with 
the following extracts from the will of his uncle : — 

" I give and devise to the Marine Society of Salem, in the County 
of Essex, in the Province of Massachusetts, in New England, and 
their successors and assignees, all that my brick building and land with 
the appurtenances, known by the name of Franklin Place, in Salem, 
aforesaid, being the same which I bought of Josiah Dow, on condition 
that the said Marine Society shall annually apply the net rents and 
profits thereof to the relief of such poor and indigent members of the 
said Society, who may not be given to excessive drinking, as shall be 
annually designated by the officers of the said Society for the time 
being." 

" I give and bequeath to such undergraduate of Harvard College, 
as shall, in the opinion of the President and immediate Government of 
said College, write the best essay on the ill effects of intemperance, 

1 This range of buildings comprised the entire bricli block extending along New- 
bury Street, from Essex lo Bath Street, opposite Washington Square. It was de- 
stroyed by fire, but has been rebuilt, and is one of the finest piles in the city. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 623 

(such essay to be written within the term of two years after my de- 
cease,) the sum of one hundred dollars." 

" I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred dollars to such under- 
graduate of said Harvard College as shall, in the opinion of the 
President and immediate Government thereof, write the best essay on 
the importance of industrious habits in youth, such essay to be written 
within two years from my decease." 

" I give and bequeath to the Baptist Society in said Salem, the sum 
of money due to me from said Society on a note of eight hundred 
dollars, and do hereby discharge said Society from the payment of said 
note." 

" I give and bequeath to the Salem Female Charitable Society, and 
their successors and assignees, the sum of one thousand dollars, the 
income of which is to be applied to the care and education of the 
children and other persons who are the objects of their charity." 

The above bequests show a right appreciation of the services and 
sufferings of mariners ; a warm interest in the cause of temperance 
before the subject had been brought to public notice ; and the incul- 
cation of industrious habits of youths subject to the temptations of 
college life. 

The generous bequests to the Salem Female Charitable Society 
and to the Baptist Society have been preeminently useful, by stimu- 
lating others to the like good works. 

We are indebted to Asa Pingree, Esq., another nephew of Capt. 
Perkins, for copying and handing us the following inscription from 
the gravestone at Topsfield : — 

IN MEMORY OF THOMAS PERKINS, ESQ. 

AN EMINENT MERCHANT. 

His Industry, Temperance & Epterprise Raised him From Poverty 
to Immense Wealth, Which he enjoyed without Pride or Ostentation, 
and dispensed with Justice and Benevolence. He was diligent and 
Faithful in business, pure in his life and conversation ; of a Sound & 
Vigorous Mind, and of an Integrity and Fortitude which neither Pros- 
perity or Adversity could shake or corrupt. 

He was an affectionate Son, a kind relative, and a firm Friend. 

He was a christian above sectarian prejudice, and a Man above 
Fear & with out reproach. 

He was born in Topsfield, April 2'*, 1758, and died Nov. 2^^^, 
1830. 



624 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Phips, Col. David, son of Lieutenant-Governor Spencer Phips, 
of Massachusetts, was graduated at Harvard College in 1741 ; was 
Colonel of the troop of Guards in Boston, 1773 ; an Addresser of 
Gov. Hutchinson in 1774, and of Gage in 1775 ; High Sheriff of Mid- 
dlesex County in 1775. Driven into Boston, he went to England, 
which country he left in April, 1777, for America, with Admiral 
Montague, and afterwards served under General Knyphausen. His 
house at Cambridge, afterwards Wm. Winthrop's, was confiscated. 
He died in England, July 7, 1811, aged eighty-seven, styled in the 
" Gentleman's Magazine " " Capt. David Phips, R. N." 

His sisters married Andrew Bordman, Judge Joseph Lee, Col. John 
Vassall, and Richard Lechmere, all magnates of Cambridge. 

Several books of the British peerage represent the family of the 
Marquis of Normanby (Lord Mulgrave) as descended from Sir Wil- 
liam Phips, Governor of Massachusetts in 1691. This is a manifest 
error ; Sir William, having no children, adopted his nephew, Spencer 
Phips, (afterwards Lieut.-Governor of Massachusetts,) father of Col. 
Phips, the subject of this article. The ancestor of Lord Mulgrave 
was Sir Constantine Phipps, an eminent London lawyer in the reign 
of Queen Anne. 

Pickering, Hon. Timothy, LL. D., the son of a prominent citi- 
zen of Salem of the same name, was born there on the 17th July, 
1746, and graduated at Harvard College in 1763. The memorable 
distinction of conducting the first resistance in arms to the power of 
the mother country fell to his lot, at his native place, on Sunday, the 
26th of February, 1775, when the march of Col. Leslie's regiment of 
Royal troops was resolutely intercepted, and his further progress ar- 
rested by him at the head of the militia, at the bridge over the North 
River. The draw of the bridge was hoisted, and Col. Pickering pre- 
sented himself on the opposite side. He informed Col. Leslie that 
the military stores he came to seize were the property of the people, 
and that they would not be surrendered without a struggle. Col. 
Leslie ordered his men into a large gondola at the wharf, to secure a 
passage over the river. In a moment Major Sprague. the owner of 
the gondola, sprang on board and beat a hole through the bottom, by 
which it was sunk. While effecting this he was wounded by the sol- 
diers with their bayonets, and thus was here shed the first blood of the 
Revolution. The Rev. Mr. Barnard now interposed, and by judicious 
persuasions prevented the impending catastrophe ; and Leslie, pledg- 
ing his honor that if Col. Pickering would let him pass the bridge, 
so that it might appear a voluntary act on his part, he would abandon 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 625 

the attempt to seize the stores ; and this being acceded to on the 
part of Col. Pickering, the former returned immediately to his trans- 
ports at Marblehead, and reembarked his regiment from the harbor 
that night. 

Col. Pickering marched at the head of the Essex Regiment as soon 
as he heard of the Lexington affair, on the 19 th of April of the same 
year, to Medford, in order to intercept the enemy, but was not in sea- 
son. He also took up the line of march with his regiment for the 
heights of Charlestown on the 17th June, but arrived too late to par- 
ticipate in the affair of Bunker HiU. Col. Pickering compiled a 
manual for the drill and exercise of the troops, which was in general 
use until the Baron Steuben published his more extensive work. He 
was appointed the same year a Judge of the Common Pleas, and suc- 
ceeded Mr. Curwen as Admiralty Judge for the district including 
Boston and Salem. In the autumn of 1776, he commanded the Es- 
sex Regiment, under General Washington, in New Jersey. 

The following is an extract of a letter from General Washington to 
Congress, dated at Morristown, May 24, 1777 : — 

" I beg leave to inform Congress, that, immediately after the receipt 
of their resolve of the 26th of March, recommending the office of 
Adjutant-General to be filled by a person of ability and unsuspected 
attachment to our cause, I wrote to Colonel Timothy Pickering, of 
Salem, offering him the post, in the first instance, and transmitting at 
the same time a letter to Colonel William R. Lee, whom Congress had 
been pleased to mention, to be delivered to him in case my offer could 
not be accepted. This conduct in preference of Col. Pickering, I 
was induced to adopt from the high character I had of him, both as a 
great military genius, cultivated by an industrious attention to the 
study of war, and as a gentleman of liberal education, distinguished 
zeal, and great method and activity in business. This character of 
him I had from gentlemen of distinction and merit, and on whose 
judgment I could rely. 

" When my letter reached Col. Pickering, at first view, he thought 
his situation in respect to public affairs would not permit him to accept 
the post. That for Col. Lee he sent immediately to him, who, in con- 
sequence, repaired to headquarters. By Col. Lee I received a letter 
from Col. Pickering, stating more particularly the causes which pre- 
vented him accepting the office when it was offered, assuring me that 
he would, in a little time, accommodate his affairs in such a manner as 
to come into any military post in which he might be serviceable and 
thought equal to. 

53 



626 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

" Here I am to mark with peculiar satisfaction, in justice to Col. 
Lee, who has deservedly acquired the reputation of a good officer, 
that he has expressed a distrust of his abilities to fill the appointment 
intended for him ; and hearing that Col. Pickering would accept it, 
he not only offered, but wished to relinquish his claim to \{ in favor of 
him, whom he declared he considered, from a very intimate and 
friendly acquaintance, as a first-rate military character ; and that he 
knew no gentleman better or so well qualified for the post among us. 
Matters being thus circumstanced, and Colonel Lee pleased with the 
command he was in, I wrote to Col. Pickering on his return, who 
accepted the office, and is daily expected." 

He immediately marched with the army to Pennsylvania, and was 
by the side of Washington at the battle of Brandywine, on the 14th 
September ; he was also present at that of Germantown, October 4. 
He was soon after elected by Congress a member of the Board of 
War, with Generals Gates and Mifflin. The arrangement of the Staff 
Department was also intrusted to him and General Mifflin. In August, 
1780, he succeeded Gen. Greene as Quartermaster-General, and dis- 
charged the arduous and complicated duties of that department with 
promptness and fidelity. 

Col. Pickering was employed in various negotiations with the In- 
dian tribes, and in 1791 was appointed Postmaster- General, which 
office he held till 1794, when he succeeded Gen. Knox as Secretary 
of War. In August, 1795, he temporarily had charge of the State 
Department, and upon the resignation of Mr. Edmund Randolph, in 
December, received the appointment of Secretary of State. This 
was the last office he held under Washington ; from which he was 
removed by President Adams, in May, 1800. It was this circum- 
stance to which the eloquent and eccentric John Randolph alludes 
when Col. Pickering's political course was attacked in the House of 
Representatives some years after ; on that occasion Randolph declared 
that he would gladly surrender all his own riches and honors to be 
able to say what that patriot (Pickering) could say, viz., " That he 
ever enjoyed the unbounded confidence of Washington — and the 
enmity of his successor." 

In palliation of his course in removing Col. Pickering, Mr. Adams 
wrote that his talents were inadequate to the station ; but his imme- 
diate successor in the office. Chief Justice Marshall, in his " Life of 
Washington," awards to his diplomacy and talents the highest praise. 

On Col. Pickering's removal from office, he commenced the settle- 
ment of new lands in the backwoods of Pennsylvania ; but soon after 






BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 627 

disposing of them, he returned to Massachusetts, and at Wenham, near 
his native town, he, like Cincinnatus, cultivated with his own hands a 
farm which he purchased. He could not long be spared from public 
life, and from 1803 to 1811 he was a Senator of the United States, 
and from 1814 to 1817 he represented his district in Congress, to the 
delight and satisfaction of his constituents. He died at Salem on the 
29th June, 1829, aged eighty-four. His active life afforded but little 
leisure for literary pursuits, yet his writings were vigorous and ele- 
gant. From early life he was a professor of Christianity. In the 
service of his country he was faithful, disinterested, and energetic. 
His feelings were strong, and in his political controversies he was 
ardent, and sometimes vehement ; but his exemplary morals, strict 
integrity, and pure principles satisfied all of his sincerity. Col. 
Pickering has left a number of descendants ; the most distinguished 
was the great philologist, the late Hon. John Pickering, LL. D., his 
eldest son, who was President of the American Academy of Arts and 
Sciences. 

Another son is Octavius Pickering, A. A. S., formerly Reporter of 
the Decisions of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. It was pro- 
claimed more than a generation since that he was preparing a life of 
his illustrious father. The very few of us, septuagenarians, who 
only can remember Col. Pickering in active life, will soon have passed 
away, and the interest in the work lessened. When will it see the 
light ? Are we who 've " desired it long " doomed " to die without the 
sight?" 

PiCKMAN, Colonel. Benjamin Pickman, Esq., was born at Sa- 
lem in 1740 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1759. He was a 
merchant in early Hfe, a Representative of the Provincial Assembly, 
and Commandant of the First Regiment of Essex County. He did not 
take a popular view of the subject of Revolution, but left the country 
at the commencement of it, and consequently was proscribed, and his 
estate included in the Confiscation Act; but after his return from 
England a portion of it was recovered, not, however, without much 
difficulty. Col. Pickman married a daughter of Dr. Toppan of Bos- 
ton, and died at his native place in April, 1819, aged seventy-nine. 
He was a son of the Colonel Pickman who died at Salem, in 1773, 
aged sixty-six ; a member of the Provincial Council, and Judge of 
the Common Pleas, whose sisters married Curwen, Ward, and Ropes 
the father of Judge Ropes, and whose brother Samuel was Governor 
of Tortola. The first mentioned Col. Pickman left a number of chil- 
dren. The late Dr. Thomas Pickman, who graduated at Harvard 



628 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

College in 1791, was one, whose first wife was a daughter of Jona- 
than Haraden, Esq., a distinguished naval commander during the 
Revolution, on the side of America; and after her death, Miss 
Palmer, granddaughter of Hon. Joseph Palmer, President of the 
Massachusetts Provincial Congress of 1776. William Pickman, Esq., 
another son, resides in Salem ; and Col. Benjamin Pickman, who 
graduated at Harvard College in 1784, and immediately commenced 
his travels by the way of England. He married a daughter of Elias 
Hasket Derby, Esq. ; was extensively and successfully engaged in 
commerce ; represented Essex South District in Congress ; and for sev- 
eral years the county, in the Senate of the State. His philanthropy 
was unbounded, and Salem sustained a great loss by his death. His 
eldest son, Col. Benjamin T. Pickman, late President of the Senate 
of Massachusetts, married a niece of the Rev. Isaac Smith, so often 
referred to in the body of this work. 

It is a remarkable coincidence, that, of four successive generations, 
the eldest sons bearing the same name have been colonels, and three 
of them in command of the same regiment. The last mentioned was 
for several years at Exeter Academy, and completed a commercial 
education in the counting-house of Messrs. P. and H. Le Mesurier 
and Co., of London, preparatory to establishing himself in mercantile 
business at Boston. He was an aide-de-camp of Governor Brooks ; 
and, like all his abovementioned ancestors, possessed a gi-eat share of 
public spirit, and a dignity and elegance of manner rarely attained ; 
his many virtues array themselves before the writer on every recol- 
lection of the friend of his youth. 

Pickman, William, second son of Col. Benjamin and Love 
(Rawlens) Pickman, was born March 23, 1748. He was bred a 
merchant in the counting-house of his father, and embai'ked in busi- 
ness before the Revolution commenced. 

President Washington, in his appointments for collecting the reve- 
nue at Salem, selected Major Hiller and Captain Pickman from the 
most trustworthy, patriotic citizens, who had served their country in 
the war, for the highest offices. These they filled with honor and 
credit during the administrations of Washington and Adams, for a pe- 
riod of foui'teen years. 

Captain Pickman was married, October 26, 1776, to Elizabeth, 
daughter of the Rev. Dudley Leavitt and Mary Pickering, sister of 
the patriot Col. Timothy Pickering, the aid and support of Washing- 
ton in the field and cabinet during his whole public life, and who en- 
joyed the unbounded confidence of the pater patrice. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 629 

His father, Colonel Pickman, who died in 1773, after having passed 
a long, active, and public-spirited life, beloved and lamented, filled 
the same position in his day that Elias Hasket Derby did in a suc- 
ceeding generation, and was even more prominent, holding the most 
important offices in the State, such as judge, legislator, and councillor. 
He was more extensively engaged than any other man in such com- 
merce as the narrow policy of the mother Government at that time 
allowed the Colonists. He was next only to Col. Pepperrell, of Kit- 
tery, in the fishery business, — his flakes extending from North Street 
through Federal to Boston Street, down to the river. His success in 
this branch he ever remembered; and when he erected his splen- 
did mansion on Essex Street, fronting St. Peter's, he had a carved 
fish, gilt, placed at the end of every stair in the hall, which still re- 
main. 

When the French cruisers had nearly destroyed our fishing vessels 
on the Banks, and the expedition against Louisburg, their stronghold 
for the reception of them, was contemplated, Col. Pickman stood 
amongst the foremost with a helping hand. No one subscribed more 
largely except Pepperrell, who advanced ten thousand pounds ; we 
believe Col. Pickman's subsci'iption was five thousand, but we cannot 
now find a list published at the time. At all events, the material aid 
was furnished in this manner, and had the expedition failed it would 
have proved a total loss to these patriotic citizens ; as it succeeded, 
the mother Government remunerated them with interest. 

We find Col. Pickman in 1745 on a committee to secure the tribes of 
Penobscot Indians and others to our service ; on a committee to pro- 
vide for the French prisoners ; also to examine the accounts of the 
directors of the Government lottery, to aid in paying for the late expe- 
dition ; on Committee of Arrangements for the reception of General 
Pepperrell and Admiral W^arren, to thank them for their signal ser- 
vices in the reduction of Louisburg, the greatest martial event of our 
colonial history. He was also on a legislative committee to draft in- 
structions for our commissionei-s who are to meet others from other 
Colonies at Albany, to treat with the Six Nation tribes for going 
against Canada ; on a legislative committee to estimate our expenses 
for the expedition against Louisburg, and to obtain Admiral Warren's 
and General Pepperrell's approbation of the same, in order to recover 
from the Crown ; and although last, not least, on a legislative com- 
mittee for publishing and printing Gov. Shirley's Letter to the Duke of 
Newcastle, Secretary of State, with the journal of the siege and oper- 
ations of the forces, attested by the General and Admiral, in order to 

53 * 



630 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

vindicate the New England troops, who had been misrepresented to 
the Home Government. 

Col. Pickman was the first of four eldest sons of as many succes- 
sive generations, each bearing the same honored name, who attained 
that military rank, — three of them having commanded the same regi- 
ment. , All have passed away, with many of their country's honors 
blest. 

The subject of this memoir died on the 3d of November, 1815, at 
the age of sixty-seven. He was early deprived of his partner, she 
having been taken away at the age of twenty-three. He never con- 
tracted another marriage. Three children were their offspring, viz. : 
William, who was lost at sea December 13, 1798 ; Elizabeth, who 
married Daniel Abbot, Esq., of Nashua, N. H. ; and the late Hon. 
Dudley Leavitt Pickman, who married Catharine, daughter of Thomas 
Saunders, Esq., both deceased. Mr. Pickman filled with honor seats 
in both branches of the State Legislature, and was also a member of 
the Council Board. His commercial knowledge and preeminent finan- 
cial abilities would greatly have benefited his country in Congress, 
had not his extensive business at home prevented his acceptance of 
the trust. 

Asa Fitch, Esq., a man of reliable judgment, the surviving partner 
of a distinguished house of several branches in Europe, stated in a 
letter to the editor that he " considered Mr. Pickman one of the first 
merchants of the age." Mr. Pickman was transcendently successful 
through life. He left daughters, Eliza, the deceased wife of Richard 
S. Rogers, Esq., and Catharine, the wife of Richard S. Fay, Esq., 
and an only son, William Dudley Pickman, Esq., who married Caro- 
line, daughter of Zachariah F. Silsbee, Esq., and who takes his 
father's place in the commerce of Salem. 

Porter, Samuel, Esq., a respectable lawyer of Salem, was 
born in Ipswich, Mass., graduated at Harvard College in 1763, re- 
moved to Salem in 1773, was an Addresser of Gov. Hutchinson in 
1774. It is supposed that either John Sargent or Porter gave Gov. 
Gage the information about the guns over the South Bridge at Salem, 
where Col. Leslie was repulsed by the people. He fled soon after to 
England, was proscribed in the Banishment Act of 1778, and died in 
London, June, 1798. 

QuiNCY, Hon. Samuel, brother of Josiah and Edmund, of Boston, 
graduated at Harvard College in 1754. As Solicitor for the Crown, 
he was engaged with Robert Treat Paine in the memorable trial of 
Capt. Preston and the British soldiers in 1770; his brother was op- 



. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 631 

posed to him on that occasion, and both reversed their party sym- 
pathies in their professional position. He was an Addresser of Gov. 
Hutchinson, and went to England early in 1775. He was included 
in the Banishment Act of September, 1778. In April, 1779, he was 
appointed Comptroller at Parkin Bay, Antigua, and died on his pas- 
sage from Tortola to England for his health, August 9, 1789, aged 
fifty-five. Mr. Quincy married a sister of the late Henry Hill, Esq., 
of Boston. His son, of the same name, who graduated at Harvard 
College in 1782, was an attorney-at-law in Lenox, Massachusetts, 
where he died, January, 1816, leaving a son Samuel, formerly an 
Alderman of Boston. His other son, Josiah, was an eminent counsel- 
lor-at-law of Romney, New Hampshire, and President of the Senate 
of that State. 

The following additional particulars and documents relating to this 
unfortunate gentleman are derived from original papers, of which copies 
have been made and forwarded to us by Miss Eliza S. Quincy, of 
Boston, and possess too deep an interest to be withheld from the 
public, although their publication renders the article more voluminous 
than is strictly consistent with the plan of this work. 

Mr. Quincy was born in that part of Braintree, now Quincy, Mas- 
sachusetts, April 13, 1735. He was the second son of Josiah Quincy, 
who at that time resided on the estate of his ancestor in that town, 
and who afterwards removed to Boston, and became an eminent 
merchant of that place. His mother's name was Hannah Sturgis, 
daughter of John Sturgis, Esq., of Yarmouth, Massachusetts. She 
died in Boston, August, 1755, aged forty-three, leaving three sons 
and one daughter. She was an excellent and religious woman, and 
had received the best education the country at that time afforded. 
Her children honored her memory, and the eminence and usefulness 
of their lives and characters bore testimony to the virtuous principles 
she had early instilled. 

Endowed with fine talents, Mr. Quincy became eminent in the pro- 
fession of the law, and succeeded Jonathan Sewall as Solicitor-General 
of Massachusetts. He was also distinguished for his attainments in 
literature, and was the author of numerous essays in prose and verse, 
in the journals of the day : was the intimate friend of many of the 
most distinguished men of that period, and an early correspondent of 
John Adams. 

In early life he appears to have coincided in his political course and 
opinions with his brothers. During the movements preceding the 
Revolution, his name appears on the records of the town of Boston, 



632 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

associated with that of Josiah Quincy, Jr. From the letter written by 
him to this brother, so ardent a patriot, on receiving a copy of his 
" Observations on the Boston Port Bill," it appears that their affec- 
tion for each other remained unaltered.^ 

The feelings of his father and family, who were all devoted to the 
cause of freedom and independence, w^ere undoubtedly deeply wounded 
by the course Samuel Quincy pursued, as a letter of his sister, Mrs. 
Lincoln, evinces. But they always continued to take an affectionate 
interest in his fate and fortunes ; and the want of letters from his father 
and friends, to which he alludes in his letters from London, undoubt- 
edly arose from the difficulties of transmitting letters to London at 
that troubled period. His father was then advanced in life, and lived 
in retirment at Braintree on his paternal estate. 

The following impassioned letter was written to Mr. Quincy by his 
sister, Mrs. Lincoln, when on the eve of his departure for England : — 

TO SAMUEL QUINCY. 

Braintree, May 11, 1775. 
My dear Brother : 

I write this in hopes to put it into the letter my father has just writ- 
ten. If it should reach you, it may serve to convince you that I have 
not forgotten that you are my only brother. He must judge what I 
feel, when I tell him that I fear I shall never see him again. 

Our two departed brothers died upon the seas. You perhaps will 
say your body is sound ; it may be so, but the sick in mind call for 
more than Esculapian aid. 

If anything could surprise me now, the hearing of your going home 
would ; but of late everything that is marvellous and strange is to 
be expected. I have not time to enlarge upon the complicated dis- 
tresses of our country, of families, or of individuals, but shall briefly 
say that our connections have experienced such a series of melancholy 
events as are not to be paralleled. We, my brother, I hope, can sym- 
pathize in sorrowing for the loss of a brother, whose character was, as 
far as any man's of his age ever was, unimpeachable. 

In his labors for the salvation of his country, he was indefatigable. 
His death, I hope, will prove a warning to others — not to pursue too 
eagerly any point. Nature kept upon the stretch will give way. He 
did not sufficiently consider the tenderness of his frame, and it may 
truly be said he fell a martyr in the cause of liberty. 

1 See Memoir of J. Quincy, Jr., by his son, President Quincy, p. 160. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 633 

In the monody on our eldest brother T find the following Ihies ; they 
may with equal propriety be applied to the younger : 

" That heart which late, inflamed with patriot zeal, 
Braved the bold insults of its country's foe. 
No more its pious frenzy can reveal, 
Nor e'er in Freedom's cause again shall glow." 

Let it not be told in America, and let it not be published in Great 
Britain, that a brother of such brothers fled from his country — the 
wife of his youth — the children of his affection — and from his aged 
sire, already bowed down with the loss of two sons, and by that of 
many more dear, though not so near connections, to secure himself 
from the reproaches of his injured countrymen ; and, to cover such a 
retreat, obliged to enlist as a sycophant under an obnoxious Hutchin- 
son, who is a tool under a cruel North, and by them to be veered about, 
and at last to be blown aside with a cool " to-morrow, sir." 

" Refusal, canst thou wear a smoother form? " 



My blood chills at the thought of the meanness of a seeker, and 
flames with indignation at such treatment from those in power. Arouse 
from your lethargy — let reason take the helm — disregard all great- 
ness but greatness of soul ; then the little trappings that royalty can 
confer will lose their lustre, that false lustre, which, I fear, inclines you 
to the prerogative side. Spare me, and do not call what I have written 
impertinent, but ascribe it to the anxiety of a sister, really distressed 
for thee. I behold you leaving your country, "a land flowing with 
milk and honey," and in which, as yet, iniquity of all kinds is punish- 
ed, and its religion as yet free from idolatry, (how long it will con- 
tinue so God only knows — we have reason to fear a depredation on 
our religious system next,) for a country where evil works are com- 
mitted with impunity. Can you expect there to walk uprightly ? Can 
you take fire into your bosom and not be burned ? 

I take a long farewell, and wish you success in every laudable un- 
dertaking. 

Your affectionate sister,* 

H. Lincoln. 

1 Mrs. Lincoln became a widow, and in 1788 contracted a second marriage with 
Ebenezer Storer, Esq., of Boston, whom she survived, and died in 1826, aged ninety. 



634 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

TO HENRY HILL, ESQ., CAMBRIDGE. 

Boston, May 13, 1775. 
Dear Brother : 

There nevei* was a time when sincerity and affectionate unity of 
heart could be more necessary than at present. But in the midst of 
the confusions that darken our native land, we may still, by a rectitude 
of conduct, entertain a rational hope that the Almighty Governor of 
the universe will in his own time remember mercy. 

I am going, my dear friend, to quit the habitation where I have 
been so long encircled with the dearest connections. 

I am going to hazard the unstable element, and for awhile to change 
the scene — whether it will be prosperous or adverse, is not for me to 
determine. I pray God to sustain my integrity, and preserve me from 
temptation. 

My political character with you may be suspicious ; but be assured, 
if I cannot serve my country, which I shall endeavor to the utmost of 
my power, I will never betray it. 

The unhappy event which took place yesterday, was as unexpected 
as it was distressful ; my concern for your safety, as well as my anx- 
iety for the agitation of my dear partner, wounded me to the heart. 
Oh, cruel separation. I had many things to say ; I could have talked 
with you forever ; but the will of Heaven forbade it. 

The kind care of my family you have so generously offered, pene- 
trates me with the deepest gratitude. If it should not be in my power 
to reward you, you will have that recompense greater than I can give 
you, the approbation of your own heart. Would to God we may again 
enjoy that harmonious intercourse I have been favored with since my 
union with your family. I will not despair of this great blessing in 
some future and not very distant period. * * * God preserve you 
in health and every earthly enjoyment, until you again receive the 
salutation of 

Your friend and brother, 

Samuel Quinct. 

EXTRACTS FROM MR. QUINCY'S LETTERS. 

London, July 25, 1775. 
* * * I have now been here a month. I have not yet seen 
Lord North or Lord Dartmouth, not because I could not, but because 
I have not been sent for, and choose my own time if I do it at all. I 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 635 

mention this to show you how mistaken you are when you suppose I 
shall be strictly examined. I have just returned from a visit to one 
of the first law officers, by whom I was very politely received. As to 
politics, I say nothing ; suffice it that my opinion of men and things 
remains the same, and is confirmed every hour. * * * ^q have 
just received the news of the battle of the 17th of June, by the Cer- 
berus ; but this is a subject on which I dare not venture. Every- 
thing is peace here ; I wish it may soon return to my dear, dear 
country. 

TO HENRY HILL, ESQ. 

London, August 18, 1775. 
You conjure me by the love of my country, to use ray best endeav- 
ors to bring about a reconciliation, suggesting that the Americans are 
still as determined as ever to die free, rather than live slaves. I have 
no reason to doubt the zeal of my fellow-countrymen in the cause of 
freedom, and their firmness in its defence, and were it in my power, 
my faithful endeavors should not be wanting (nay, I have a right to 
say they are not) to effect an accommodation. But, my good friend, 
I am unhappy to find that the opinion I formed in America, and 
which in a great measure governed my conduct, was but too justly 
founded. Every proposal of those who are friendly to the Colonies, 
to alter the measures of Government and redress the grievances of 
which they complain, is spurned at, unless attended with previous 
concessions on their part. This there is less reason every day to ex- 
pect, and thus the prospect of an accommodation is thrown at a dis- 
tance ; nor is there yet the least reason to suppose that a formidable 
if any opposition will be framed against Administration in favor of 
America. The people of this country are united in their attachment 
to the reigning prince and his family. The King's Ministers are their 
own ; and though a clamor against those who are in power, which is 
ever the case in popular governments, in some measure divides the 
metropolis, the city politics never were on a lower ebb. Their peti- 
tions and remonstrances are received with indignation, as they are 
conceived to originate from an anti-ministerial spirit, and not as the 
offspring of true patriotism or friendship to America. The political 
subordination of the Colonies is in this island a sacred tenet. It is 
not, therefore, very surprising, that the late alarming strides of Colony 
opposition have taught them to suspect a determination to emancipate 
the continent fx-om every civil connection with this country, and a dan- 
gerous design of independency, notwithstanding the denial of it in 



636 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

words. Under this apprehension, the yeomen, merchants, and manu- 
facturers, in the inland parts of the country, who were wont to be ad- 
vocates for America, as far as I am able to form a judgment, both 
from information and observation, are beginning to murmur against 
them. Their common answer is. Whilst you were reasonable in your 
demands, and complained of real burdens, we were willing to support 
you, but we cannot venture to assist American independence, lest we 
lay a foundation for the destruction of both countries. Their produce 
and manufactures are in quick demand, and likely to continue so, 
owinof principally to the equipment of the Spanish flota, and the late 
Russian war. They are, therefore, at peace and contented, immersed 
in wealth and commerce, and caring little what passes beyond them. 
Some of the principal American merchants here with whom I have 
conversed, are projecting an association promising their aid to Govern- 
ment, and publicly to convince America that they are not to expect 
the assistance of the trade here in support of what they call her ex- 
travagant claims. We look, say they, upon your attempts to distress 
us by stopping your commerce, as a mark of your want of honesty, 
and your pi-etended flame for liberty as only a desire for domination 
and empire. When the Lord Mayor carried up to St. James's the 
late city remonstrance and petition for the removal of the troops from 
Boston, his procession, with the usual parade, attended by the sheriffs, 
aldermen, and common-council, excited little attention, and was hon- 
ored at the palace-gate with but a dumb peal even from the tattered 
rabble. 

The effect of the battle of Bunker Hill is a resolution to send 
more ships and troops, every species of ammunition and warlike im- 
plements, and all kinds of supply for the support of Boston ; many of 
them are already embarked. Admiral Shuldam supersedes Admiral 
Graves, and Sir Jeffery Amherst, it is said, has consented to accept 
the command, and General Gage will have leave to return. What 
number of troops will be sent I am not able to say, but I understand 
much greater in the spring, if a negotiation does not take place. 1 
mention these things minutely, to show you of how small importance 
are those flattering articles of intelligence which sound well upon 
paper, and appear highly spirited and influential. These are facts, 
not of conjecture only, but visible and operative. Your reflection 
will perhaps be, we must then work out our own salvation by the 
strength of our own arm, trusting in the Lord. Really, my friend, if 
the Colonies, according to their late declaration, have made a resist- 
ance by force their choice, the contest is in short reduced to that nar- 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 637 

row compass. I view the dangerous and doubtful struggle with fear 
and trembling ; I lament it with the most cordial affection for my na- 
tive country, and feel sensibly for my friends. But I am aware it is 
my duty patiently to submit to the event as it may be governed by the 
all-wise counsels of that Being " who ruleth in the heavens, and is the 
God of ai'mies." 

TO MRS. QUINCY. 

London, Jan. 1, 1777, 
* * * The continuance of our unhappy separation has something in 
it so unexpected, so unprecedented, so complicated with evil and mis- 
fortune, it has become almost too burdensome for my spirits, nor have 
I words that can reach its description. There are passing before me 
a thousand varying objects, some of them affording amusement and 
others admiration. I see many faces I have been used to. America 
seems to be transplanted to London. St. James's Park wears an ap- 
pearance not unlike the Exchange in Boston. * * * I long much to see 
my father. It is now more than eighteen months since I parted with 
him in a manner I regret. Neither of you say anything of the fam- 
ily at Braintree. They ought not to think me regardless of them 
though I am silent ; for, however lightly they may look upon me, I 
yet remember them with pleasure. * * * Mr. David Greene is gone 
to Antigua. Mr. Bergwin, of North Carolina, is now with me. * * * 

London, March 12, 1777. 
You inquire whether I cannot bear contempt and reproach, rather 
than remain any longer separated from my family ? As I always 
wished, and I think always endeavored, not to deserve the one, so will 
I ever be careful to avoid the other. You urge, as an inducement to 
my return, that my countrymen will not deprive me of life. I have 
never once harbored such an idea. Sure I am I have never merited 
from them such a punishment. Difference of opinion I have never 
known to be a capital offence, and were the truth and motives of my 
conduct justly scrutinized, I am persuaded they would not regai'd me 
as an enemy plotting their ruin. That I might yet be able to recover 
in some respects the esteem of my friends, I will not doubt while I am 
conscious of the purity of my intentions. When I determined on a 
voyage to England, I resolved upon deliberation, and I still think, 
with judgment. I did not, indeed, expect so hurried a succession of 
events, though you must remember I long had them in contemplation. 
Had an accommodation taken place, my tour would have been greatly 

54 



638 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

advantageous, especially on tlie score of business ; what it will be 
now, time must tell. 

I am sorry you say nothing of my father, or the family at Brain- 
tree ; I have not received a line nor heard from them since I left 
America. * * * God bless you all ; live happy, and think I am as 
much so as my long absence from you will permit. 

March 20, 1777. 
I am not surprised much that, to the loss of property I have already 
sustained, I am to suffer further depredations, and that those to whom 
I am under contract should avail themselves of this opportunity and 
endeavor to make what is left their own. All I ask is that my brother 
and my other friends (if I have any) would think of me as they ought, 
and to be assured that, as far as they interpose their assistance to save 
me from suffering, they will not hereafter find me deficient in return. 

October 15, 1777. 
If things should not wear a more promising aspect at the opening 
of the next year, by all means summon resolution to cross the ocean. 
But if there is an appearance of accommodating this truly unnatural 
contest, it would be advisable for you to bear farther promise ; as I 
mean to return to my native country whenever I may be permitted, 
and there is a chance for my procuring a livelihood. But I do not 
say that I will not accept of an opening here, if any one should offer 
that I may think eligible. 

London, April 18, 1778. 
The late unexpected change of the state of public affairs in this 
kingdom has occasioned a variety of speculation among men of mod- 
erate principles in both parties. While some construe the concessions 
of Parliament as the effect of fear and pusillanimity, others regard 
them as the offspring of humanity, a desire to put an end to war and 
the fruitless effusion of kindred blood. The prospect of a foreign 
rupture has doubtless its weight ; but a wish to restox'e the confidence 
of America by generous overtures, and its dependence by a mild ad- 
ministration of Government, I believe is i-eally a principal foundation 
of the present terms. Would to God they may be such as will meet 
the voice and wish of the Colonies, and the result be a reunion of two 
countries, whose interests, in my opinion, can never be divided. I 
have lived to see the beginning, and thus far the progress of this cruel 
convulsion ; my prayer is that I may live to see the end of it. It has 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 639 

produced effects wonderful and illustrious ; in some of which we may- 
discern and admire the great hand of Providence, in others the havoc 
of corrupt passions and ambition. Devastation and death are insep- 
arable attendants in the train of war. I regret my once happy 
country has, in so short a time, experienced so large a share of them. 
They are events I have long ago trembled at as a picture of imagina- 
tion only ; my heart is, however, now disburdened in some degree by 
a prospect that the wrath of man will no longer prevail to the destruc- 
tion of life and property. 

By the favor of Lord Willoughby (of Parham), with whom, by the 
kindness of my friend Mr. Fraser, I have the honor of an intimate 
acquaintance, my curiosity has been several times gratified by an access 
to the House of Lords, during the most important inquiries ; particu- 
larly about ten days since, when the great Lord Chatham came down 
to the House tottering upon his feeble limbs, to give his voice and ad- 
vice on the present critical and dangerous exigence of the State. The 
business of the day being introduced by the Duke of Richmond, Lord 
Chatham rose, and in a faltering tone of voice, manifestly enfeebled 
since I heard him before, began his remarks by recurring to former 
periods of national alarm, compared them to the evils now complained 
of, pointing out the causes and their remedy, and then delivered his 
opinion on the two great questions of a war with France, and the In- 
dependence of America. His speech was short to what I expected, 
and I believe much shorter than he intended. The Duke of Rich- 
mond rose in reply, and with some asperity objected to what had 
fallen from the noble earl. Whether this or mere bodily weakness 
was the cause I know not, but just as the Duke had finished, his Lord- 
ship suddenly fainted. The House was immediately ordered to be 
cleared, and the doors and windows set open ; but eager to see so 
celebrated a Senator, as I thought in his last moments, I ventured to 
press in again, and saw him borne off on the shoulders of the Duke 
of Cumberland, and other noblemen of the first distinction, pale and 

speechless. 

" Silent that tongue, 
On which, enrapt, admiring senates hung." 

It was a grand though an affecting sight! Supposing him to be 
near his exit, I almost wished to see him die within those walls, where 
for so many years he has figured to his own honor and the glory of 
his country. * * * 

If there is an accommodation, I shall certainly turn my views to 
some part of the Continent, unless something very promising should 



640 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

offer elsewhere. It would grieve me very much to think of never 
again seeing my father; God bless him, and many other worthy 
friends and relations in New England ; but a return to my native 
country I cannot be reconciled to until I am convinced that I am as 
well thought of as I know I deserve to be. I shall ever rejoice in its 
prosperity, but am too proud to live despised where I was once re- 
spected — an object of insult instead of the child of favor. * * * 

You suggest that, had I remained, I might still have been with you 
in honor and employment. It may be so, but when I left America I 
had no expectation of being absent more than a few months, little 
thinking operations of such magnitude would have followed in so 
quick a succession ; I left it from principle, and with a view of emolu- 
ment. If I have been mistaken, it is my misfortune, not my fault. 
My first letters from my friends congratulated me on being out of the 
way ; and I was pleased to find my undertaking met with their appro- 
bation as well as my own. The hearts of men were not within my 
reach, nor the fortuitous event of things within my control. " I am 
indeed a poor man ; " but even a poor man has resources of comfort 
that cannot be torn from him, nor are any so miserable as to be al- 
ways under the influence of inauspicious stars. I will therefore 
still endeavor to bear my calamities with firmness, and to feel for 
others. 

* * * Those who have befriended my family are entitled to my 
•warmest gratitude, and I hope you will never fail to express it for me. 
Whether it ever will be in my power to recompense them I know not, 
but no endeavor of mine shall be wanting to effect it. * * * I con- 
jecture, though you do not mention from what quarter, you have re- 
ceived unkindness. There are in this world many things we are 
obliged and enabled to encounter, which at a distance appear insup- 
portable. You must have experienced this as well as I ; and it ought 
to teach us that best doctrine of philosophy and religion — resigna- 
tion. Bear up, therefore, with fortitude, and wait patiently in expec- 
tation of a calmer and brighter day. 

London, May 31, 17 78. 
By the public prints we are made acquainted with an Act of the 
State of Massachusetts Bay that precludes those, among others, from 
returning who left it since the 19th of April, 1775, and "joined the 
enemy." You do not mention this Act, nor have I any information by 
which I am to construe what is meant by "joining the enemy." The 
love of one's country and solicitude for its welfare are natural and 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.^ 641 

laudable affections ; to lose its good opinion is at once unhappy, and 
attended with many ill consequences; how much more unfortunate to 
be forever excluded from it without offence ! It is said also that there 
is a resolve of Congress " that no Absentee shall be permitted to take 
up his residence in any other Colony without having been first re- 
ceived and admitted as a citizen of his own." This may have some 
effect on a movement I had in contemplation of going southward, 
where I have a very advantageous offer of countenance and favor. 

London, March 15, 1779. 

You may remember in some of my former letters I hinted ray 
wish to establish a residence in some other part of the Continent, or 
in the West Indies, and particulai'ly mentioned to you Antigua — 
where my kinsman Mr. Wendell, my friend Mr. David Greene, Dr. 
Russell and his family, Mr. Lavicourt, Mr. Va^sall, and others of ray 
acquaintance, will give the island less of the appearance of a strange 
place. By the passing of the Act of Proscription, the door was shut 
against me in my own country, where I own it would have been my 
wish to have ended my days. This confirmed my resolution. I have 
since unreraittedly pursued vai'ious objects, endeavoring to drive the 
nail that would go. 

My first intention was that of transplanting myself somewhere to 
the southward. On this subject I thought long and consulted others. 
I considered climate, friends, business, prospects in every view, and at 
last formed my opinion. The Provinces in the south part of America 
in point of health were not more favorable than the Islands ; in point 
of friends they might be preferable, but with respect to business or the 
means of acquiring it, uncertain ; public commotion yet continued, — 
violent prejudices are not easily removed. I had neither property nor 
natural connections in either of them. I could have no official influ- 
ence to sustain me. What kind of government or laws would finally 
prevail it was difficult to tell. These and other reasons determined 
me against the attempt. But to stay longer in England, absent from 
my friends and family, with a bai'e subsistence, inactive, without pros- 
pects, and useless to myself and the world, was death to me ! What 
was the alternative? As I saw no chance of procuring either ap- 
pointment or employ here, the old object of the West Indies recurred, 
where in my younger days I wished to have remained ; and by the 
influence of some particular gentlemen I have at last obtained the 
place of " Comptroller of the Customs, at the port of Parham, in 
Antigua," — for which island I mean to embark with the next convoy. 

54* 



642 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

My view is to join the profits of business in the line of my profession 
to the emoluments of office. This I flatter myself will afford me a 
handsome maintenance. I grow old too fast to think of waiting longer 
for the moving of the waters, and have therefore cast my bread upon 
them, thus in hopes that at last, after many days, I my find it. 

Transmit to my father every expression of duty and affection. If 
he retains the same friendship and parental fondness for me I have 
always experienced fi-om him, he will patronize my children, and in 
doing this he will do it unto me. It was my intention to have written 
to him, but the subjects on which I want to treat are too personally 
interesting for the casualties of the present day. He may rest assured 
it is my greatest unhappiness to be thus denied the pleasing task of 
lightening his misfortunes and soothing the evening of his days. 
Whatever may be the future events of his hfe, I shall always retain 
for him the warmest filial respect, and if it is my lot to survive him, 
shall ever think it a pleasure as well as my duty to promote to my ut- 
most the welfare of his posterity. My mother will also accept of my 
duty and good wishes ; the prosperity of the whole household lies near 
my heart, and they will do me injustice if they think me otherwise 
than their affectionate friend. * * * 

Colonel Scott yesterday received a letter from his wife, by the Mar- 
quis de Lafayette, by which I learn you were all well the 4th Janu- 
ary last. * * * 

With respect to my property in America, my wish and desire is, if 
I have any control over it, that my friends there collectively, or some 
one singly under your direction, would take it into their hands, and 
consolidating the debts I owe into one sum, apply it to their discharge. 
I can think of no better way than this. If eventually I am deprived 
of it, I will endeavor to bear it with that fortitude which becomes a 
Christian and philosopher. 

P. S. — I could wish above all things to preserve my law books. 

TO HENRY HILL, ESQ. 

London, May 25, 1779. 

* * * I have obtained an appointment at Parham, in Antigua, as 
Comptroller of the Customs, and am to embark soon for St. Kitts. * * 
It is this day four years since I left Boston, and though I have been 
racked by my own misfortunes and my feelings for the distresses of 
my family and friends, I have still by a good Providence been blessed 
with health, and comforted by the kindness of many friends. If I 
have not been in affluence, I have been above want, and happy in the 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 643 

esteem of numbers in this kingdom to whom I was altogether a stran- 
ger. * * * The education of my children is uppermost in my heart. 
The giving my son the benefit of classical learning by a course of 
college studies, is a step I much approve. The sequestration of my 
books is more mortifying to me than any other stroke. If they are 
not yet out of your power save them for me at all events. 

TO THE EEV. DR. WIGGLESWORTH, HOLLIS PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY, 

CAMBRIDGE. 

Antigua, June 28, 1 782. 

* * * Nothing has laid so near my heart during my absence and 
misfortunes as the advancement of the education of my children. The 
honor my son is about to receive at the approaching solemnities I hope 
will be well earned. * * * It was always my desire, and more than 
once have I intimated to you my inclination, to turn my thoughts and 
influence towards the prosperity of the College ; how that object has 
been defeated needs no explanation. I was ever their well-wisher — 
they would have found me their benefactor. 

In a copy of a letter to a friend, apparently in the "West Indies, but 
whose name does not appear, Mr. Quincy thus expresses himself: — 

Antigua, Feb. 1, 1782. 
You ask of me an account of my coming to the West Indies, the 
manner of my existence, and destination, &c. The story is long, and 
would require many anecdotes to give the true history, but you will 
excuse me if at present I say only that, in the year 1775, just after 
the battle of Lexington, I quitted America for London on motives of 
business, intending to return in a few months ; but my absence was 
construed by our good patriots as the effect of ray political principles, 
and improved first to my proscription, afterwards to the very flatter- 
ing title of traitorous conspirator, and the confiscation of my estate. 
I remained in England several years, but, tired of waiting for the 
moving of the waters, and unwilling to waste the flower of my age in 
a state of indolence, neither profitable to myself nor my family, I re- 
solved to seek my fortune in this part of the world, where I had been 
in my younger days, — obtained a berth in the customs, which, to- 
gether with the emoluments of my profession, afford me a comfort- 
able subsistence, and the prospect of something beyond. 

Your friend, &c., 

Samuel Quinct. 



644 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

TO HENRY HILL, ESQ., BOSTON. 

St. Christopher, July 26, 1783. 
My dear Brother: — 

I am sorry to find that the letters you wrote me, after the tidings 
you received of my loss of your dear sister,^ never reached me, as by 
that means I was deprived of the consolations which the sympathy of 
our friends affords in the hour of grief. * * * For strange as it may 
seem, however painful the idea that we avQ forever separated from our 
friends, there is something pleasing to me in calling to memory the 
conversations, the attitudes, which present them in the strongest point 
of view, the occasions upon which, and the places where they have 
most administered to our felicity and comfort. If this is not the case, 
how great a part of the small pittance of enjoyment allotted to us in 
this life is broken off. How many of our former friendships and 
sweetest intercourse would be forever obliterated, and dead to recol- 
lection ; our fund of gratification would be confined to the narrow 
limits of the objects immediately around us. 

Thei'e is in some persons a strange kind of reluctance to conversing 
about their dead friends ; as if those passages in their character which 
render their memory dear, could not be thought upon without recall- 
ing the circumstances of their departure. 

To die is the lot of humanity ; if the sentiments and conduct of 
those who have been separated from us are such as have afforded us 
either amusement or instruction, and their example worthy of imita- 
tion, the more we meditate or confer upon their native and ornamental 
graces, the more we pay thera honor ; the more likely are we (at the 
same time that we receive a sensible gratification) to imbibe the 
amiable qualities in which they excelled, and to adopt their vir- 
tues. * * * 

If the events of life were under our control, it is probable we 
should endeavor to govern them to the purpose of our views. In 
that case I should soon be in the society of my nearest friends ; it 
would be immaterial to me in what part of the world, for I have long 
since learned that happiness is not confined to any particular spot : 
diffused equally through the immense space of air and earth, the ani- 
mal part of creation, whether rational or brute, possess it in every 
region ; and most likely were we permitted to carve for ourselves, our 
fortunes would be still more checkered than they are. This reflection, 
at the same time it expands our idea of the Deity, has a tendency to 

'•The wife of Mr. Quincy, who died November, 1782. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. ■ 645 

teach us acquiescence in the state to which we are destined. Change 
seems to be as necessary to sustain the present link of being as air 
and food ; for though the accidental ties of birth, kindred, and friend- 
ship, have a powerful influence on our affections, if the latter is met 
with where least expected, it has there its most peculiar energy, and 
the former gradually lessen as the probability of restoring them is 
removed in a greater or less degree. 

TO SAMUEL QUINCY, JR., CAMBRIDGE. 

June 10, 1785. 

How anxious soever I may feel to see my friends and relations once 
more, I cannot think of doing it at the expense of my liberty ; nor 
will I ever visit that country where I first drew my breath, but upon 
such terms as I have always lived in it ; and such as I have still a 
right to claim from those who possess it, — the character of a gentle- 
man. * * * The proposal Judge Sumner has hinted to me, of keep- 
ing his old berth for you at Roxbury, is a good one, at least better 
than Boston. Cultivate his good opinion, and deserve his patronage ; 
he will bestow the latter for my sake, I trust, as well as his personal 
esteem for you. It will also stand you in stead at Court, where I hope 
you will one day figure as a legislator as well as an advocate. AU 
depends upon setting out right. You are at the edge of a precipice, 
or ought to consider yourself so ; from whence, if you fall, the " revo- 
care gradum " is a task indeed. Resolve, then, to think right, and act 
well ; keeping up to that resolution will procure you daily the atten- 
tion of all ranks, and command for you their respect. Keep alive the 
cause of truth, of reason, of virtue, and of liberty, if I may be per- 
mitted to use that name, who have by some injuriously been thought 
in a conspiracy against it. This is the path of duty, and will be the 
source of blessing. 



'O' 



July 24, 1789. 
I am exceedingly sorry to hear of the distracted political situation 
of Massachusetts. * * * A constitution founded on mere Republican 
principles has always appeared to me a many-headed monster, and, 
however applauded by a Franklin, a Price, and a Priestley, that in 
the end it must become a suicide. Mankind do not in experience 
appear formed for that finer system, which, in theory, by the nice ad- 
justment of its parts, promises permanency and repose. The passions, 
prejudices, and interests of some will always be in opposition to othei'S, 
especially if they are in place. This, it may be said, is the case in 



646 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

all governments, but I think less so in a Monarchy than under a Re- 
publican code. The people at large feel an overbalance of power in 
their own favor ; they will naturally endeavor to ease themselves of 
all expenses which are not lucrative to them, and retrench the gains 
of others, whether the reward of merit or genius, or the wages of a 
hireling. 

ToRTOLA, June 1, 1789. 
Mt dear Son : — 

Your short letter of the 14th February gave me pleasure, as it in- 
formed me of your health and that of your family, and other friends 
in the neighborhood of Roxbury. * * * 

It would be my wish to make you a visit once more in my life, 
could it be ascertained I might walk free of insult, and unmolested in 
person. Two things must concur to satisfy me of this, — the repeal 
of the Act passed 1779 against certain crown officers, as traitors, con- 
spirators, &c. ; and accommodation with those who have against rae 
pecuniary demands. The first I have never yet learned to be repealed, 
either in whole or in part, and therefore I consider it as a stumbling- 
block at the threshold ; the second, no steps I suppose have been taken 
to effect, although I think it might be done by inquiry and proposition 
— wdth some by a total release from demand, and with others by a 
reasonable compromise. If you ever wish your father to repose under 
your roof, you will take some pains to examine the list, and make the 
trial. I shall shortly, I hope, be in a situation to leave this country, 
if I choose it ; but whether Europe, of the two objects I have in view, 
will take the preference, may depend on the answer I may receive 
from you, upon the hints I have now thrown out for your considera- 
tion and filial exertions. * * * 

I have been, as I informed you in my last, a good deal indisposed 
for some time past. I find myself, however, better on the whole at 
present, though I feel the want of a bracing air. Adieu. 

Your affectionate parent, 

Samuel Quinct. 

In 1787 Mr, Quincy married, at Tortola, Mrs. M. A. Chad well, 
widow of the Hon. Abraham Chadvvell, and in 1789, embarked with 
her for England. The restoration of his health was the object of the voy- 
age, but the effort was unsuccessful ; he died at sea, within sight of the 
English coast, August 9, 1789, aged fifty -five. His remains were car- 
ried to England, and interred on Bristol-hill. His widow immediately 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 647 

reembarked for the West Indies, but her voyage was tempestuous. 
Grief for the loss of her husband, to whom she was strongly attached, 
and sutfering from the storm her vessel encountered, terminated her 
life upon her homeward passage. 

Reed, Joseph, graduated at Nassau Hall, New Jersey, in 1757. 
He engaged with zeal in opposition to Parliament, was of the Com- 
mittee of Correspondence, and afterwards President of the Conven- 
tion of New Jersey. On the organization of the Army, he became 
first'Aide to General Washington ; the next year Adjutant-General. 
While he was a member of Congress, in 1778, the Commissioners from 
England arrived, and one of them, Gov. Johnstone, addressed private 
letters to him, Francis Dana, and Robert Morris, to secure their influ- 
ence towards the restoration of harmony, with intimations of honors 
and emoluments. Mr. Reed's former correspondence being known, a 
lady, supposed to be the wife of Dr. Adam Ferguson, (the Secretary 
of the Commissioners,) assured him as from Gov. Johnstone, that ten 
thousand pounds sterling and the best office in America should be at 
his disposal, if he would effect a reunion. He replied that " he was 
not worth purchasing, but, such as he was, the King of Great Britain 
was not rich enough to do it." 

In October, 1778, he was chosen President of Pennsylvania, which 
office he held till the autumn of 1781. He died March 5, 1785, aged 
forty-three, having visited England for his health the year before, 
without good effect. 

General Reed published remarks on Gov. Johnstone's speech in 
Parliament, with authentic papers relative to his propositions, in 1779, 
and an Address to the people of Pennsylvania in 1783. 

RoBiE, Thomas, Esq., of Marblehead, a son of Dr. Thomas 
Robie, who was graduated at Harvard College, in 1708, and after 
being a resident fellow or tutor there, established himself in the prac- 
tice of physic at Salem, and married a daughter of Major Stephen 
Sewall. The subject of this notice became a merchant, and married 
a daughter of the Rev. Simon Bradstreet, who was the great-grand- 
son of Gov. Bradstreet, called the " Nestor of New England." Mr. 
Robie being strongly on the side of the Royal Government, was an 
Addresser of Governor Hutchinson, and quitted the country about the 
commencement of the war : he first went to Halifax, but afterwards 
to London, February 5, 1776. He passed his time of exile mostly in 
Halifax, where one of his daughters married Jonathan Stearns, Esq., 
another Refugee, who graduated at Harvard College in 1770, became 
Attorney-General of Nova Scotia, and died in 1798 ; another was mar- 



648 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

ried to Joseph Sewall, Esq., late Treasurer of Massachusetts. His 
son, Simon Bradstreet Robie, Esq., of Halifax, Solicitor of the Prov- 
ince of Nova Scotia, is a gentleman of great wealth and respectabil- 
ity. Mr. Thomas Robie returned after the peace, and reembarked in 
commercial pursuits in Salem to a limited extent. He was amiable, 
intelligent, and exemplary, and died at Salem about fifty years since, 
well esteemed. 

RocHAMBEAU, Lieutenant-General THE CouNT. Jean Bap- 
tiste Donatien De Vimeur, Count Rochambeau, born in 1725, died 
1807, Marshal of France. After much mihtary service, he was ap- 
pointed Lieutenant-General, and in 1780 was sent with six thousand 
men to the assistance of the United States, in the war of the Revolu- 
tion. In the siege and capture of Yorktown he rendered important 
services, for which he received as a present two cannon taken from 
the General Lord Cornwallis. In the French Revolution he narrowly 
escaped suffering death under the tyranny of Robespierre. In 1803 
Bonaparte settled upon him a pension and created him a Grand Cross 
of the Legion of Honor. His memoirs were published in 8vo. in 1809. 

Ropes, Judge. Hon. Nathaniel Ropes, of Salem, born in 1727, 
was graduated at Harvai-d College in 1745, and applied himself to 
the study of the law. The violent measures in opposition to Govern- 
ment were obnoxious to him ; and when he found he could no longer 
be useful there, he retired from the Council in 1769, and from the 
Bench of the Superior Court just before his death, in the spring of 
1774. He was firm in Loyalist principles. 

After ineffectual negotiations with Governor Hutchinson, the inflex- 
ible assertor of Royal prerogative, at the termination of the first ses- 
sion of 1773, it was resolved " that any of the Judges, who, while they 
hold their offices during pleasure, shall accept support from the Crown, 
independent of the grants of the General Coui-t, will discover that he 
is an enemy to the Constitution, and has it in his heart to promote the 
establishment of arbitrary government." In February, 1774, four of 
the Judges, Trowbridge, Hutchinson, Ropes, and Cushing, on the ap- 
peal being made by the Assembly, replied that they had received no 
part of the allowance from the King ; which was deemed satisfactory. 
Judge Ropes's house was assailed, notwithstanding, by a mob, and the 
fui'niture and windows throughout broken the night before his death, 
(by small-pox,) which event it doubtless accelerated. 

With the exception of the reports of his decisions in the Supreme 
Court, the following obituary notice from his political opponents is all 
that is on record respecting him : 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 649 



From the Essex Gazette, (Salem,) March 22, 1774. 

" Died, on the 18th inst., in the forty-eighth year of his age, the 
Hon. Nathaniel Ropes, some years since Representative of this town 
in the General Assembly, afterwards a member of the Council, Chief 
Justice of the Common Pleas, and Judge of Probate of Wills for the 
County of Essex, and also a Justice of the Superior Court for this 
Province." 

Judge Ropes married a daughter of the Rev. John Sparhawk, of 
Salem, and their deceased sons were merchants of that place. Na- 
thaniel married a daughter of Dr. Putnam, and John a daughter of 
Jonathan Haraden, Esq., a distinguished naval commander in the 
Revolution against Great Britain. Their daughters married William 
Orne, Jonathan Hodges, and Samuel Curvven Ward,^ also merchants 
of Salem, all deceased ; of their descendants many are now living. 

RuMFORD, Count. Sir Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford) 
was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, in 1752, and while a clerk in the 
employment of Mr. John Appleton, merchant, of Salem, first displayed 
his fondness for experimental philosophy, (when accidentally his face 
was somewhat marked by a pyrotechnical explosion,) in which he was 
afterwards a pi-oficient, under the Professor of Natural Philosophy at 
Cambridge, and became a teacher. He made an advantageous mar- 
riage, and became a Major of militia ; was instrumental in preserving 
the library and philosophical apparatus when the colleges were con- 
verted into barracks ; as a Loyalist he rendered important services to 
the British generals, and was received by Lord George Germaine as 
Under-Secretary in ,the Office for Colonial Affairs. Towai-ds the close 
of the war he was sent to New York, and raised a regiment of dra- 
goons, of which he was the Colonel. He commanded at Huntington, 
Long Island, in 1782-3, where he caused a fort to be erected in the 
church-yard, contrary to the wishes of the inhabitants. He returned 
to England in 1784, and received the honors of knighthood, and be- 
came Under-Secretary of State. Subsequently, recommended by the 
Prince of Deux Ponts (afterwards King of Bavaria), he entered the 
service of the reigning Elector Palatine and Duke of Bavaria, where 
he effected many useful reforms, civil and military ; among them a 
scheme for the suppression of mendicity, which he carried into execu- 
tion at Munich and other places, providing labor for able-bodied pau- 
pers, and exciting a spirit of industry among the poorer classes of 
people, for which he was rewarded by the sovereign of Bavaria with 

1 Parents of the Editor. 
55 



650 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

the commission of a Lieutenant-General, several orders of knight- 
hood, and created Count Rumford. He returned to England in 1799, 
and employed himself in making experiments on the nature and ap- 
plication of heat, and other subjects of economical and philosophical 
research. He suggested the plan and assisted in the foundation of 
the Royal Institution. In 1802 he removed to Paris, and his wife 
beins: dead, he married the widow of the celebrated Lavoisiei*. He 
purchased a country-house at Auteuil, about four miles from Paris, 
and embellished the grounds. He died there in August, 1814, leav- 
ing only a daughter, the offspring of his first marriage in the United 
States. Besides a great number of communications in scientific jour- 
nals, he published four volumes of essays, political, economical, exper- 
imental, and philosophical. In 1796 he remitted five thousand dollars 
in three per cent, stocks to the American Academy of Arts and Sci- 
ences ; the income to be appropriated as a premium to the author of 
the most important discovery on light and heat. By his last will he 
laid the foundation of that Professorship to Harvard University 
which has rendered his name justly esteemed with its friends. His 
useful and eventful life has been the subject of faithful history. He 
bequeathed an annuity of one thousand dollars, and the reversion of 
another of four hundred dollars, also the reversion of his whole estate, 
which amounted to upwards of twenty-six thousand dollars, " for the 
purpose of founding a new institution and professorship, in order to 
teach by regular courses of academical and public lectures, accompa- 
nied with proper experiments, the utility of the physical and mathe- 
matical sciences for the improvement of the useful arts, and for the 
extension of the industry, prosperity, happiness and well-being of so- 
ciety." 

Rumford, the Countess. Miss Sarah Thompson, the Countess 
of Rumford, died at Concord, N. H., December 2, 1852. On the 5th, 
the Rev. Dr. Bouton delivered a discourse on the death of the Coun- 
tess ; the following extract from which forms an interesting biogra- 
phy : — 

" Yesterday a few family friends and acquaintances followed to the 
grave an aged lady, known among us as the Countess Rumford. But 
whence did she derive that title of nobility ? Who was she ? What 
■was her origin and her history? The Countess Rumford was a grand- 
daughter of Rev. Timothy Walker, the first minister of this town. She 
was the only daughter of Benjamin Thompson, formerly a resident of 
this town, and was born on the spot where she died, October 18, 1774. 
Her father, remarkable for his native talent and enterprise, came to 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 651 

this town from Woburn, Mass., as a teacher, in 1772, and marrying 
the eldest daughter — then a widow ^ — of Rev. Mr. Walker, settled 
among us. But, as the war of the Revolution came on, being suspected 
of principles and feelings adverse to the American cause, he was 
obliged to flee for safety, first to his native town and then to Boston, 
under the protection of the British, whence he was soon after sent by 
General Gage, as the bearer of despatches, to England. Attracting 
the attention of the Government there he found honorable employment 
till the close of the Revolutionary war. Soon after that, 1783, he went 
to Germany, was introduced to the Elector of Bavaria, and was em- 
ployed by him in various services, civil and military, in which he 
acquired most honorable distinction. Residing awhile at Munich, the 
capital of Bavaria, he became distinguished for his efforts to suppress 
the system of vagrancy and mendicity, which had become a great 
public nuisance ; and, as a reward, in part, for his services, he 
received from the Elector the title of " Count of the Holy Roman 
Empire," — with a pension settled on him for life of nearly $2000 
annually. To this title he added that of Rumford, in remembrance 
of his residence in this town, which was formerly called by that name. 
About the year 1796 he sent a request to his daughter, in this countr}^, 
to meet him in London, which she did — her mother having pre- 
viously deceased, 1792, aged fifty-two years. Subsequently the daugh- 
ter attended and shared the fortune of her father until his death, in 
France, in 1814. The scenes and changes in her eventful life are in 
many respects remarkable. The forsaken infant of a persecuted father, 
fleeing from unmerited reproach and insult, for protection from an 
enemy he had opposed in arms, — an orphan by the decease of 
the only parent left to protect her, — forsaking the home of her child- 
hood to pass an isolated life with her paternal grandmother in an 
adjacent State, — a young gii-1 in the heyday of life encountering 
the perils of the Atlantic, at the call of an exiled, and to her a 
long-lost father, — a resident of the capital of Bavaria, when Munich 
was about to be bombarded by the Austrian army, and which was 
alone prevented by the stern energy of her father, at that time the 
Commander-in-Chief of the Bavarian forces, — the caressed daughter 
of one honored among the learned savans of Europe, and received 
among the elite of the saloons of Paris, — doubly an orphan in a 
foreign land, and thence inheriting the estates and title of her father, 
— returning to England and settling upon the paternal estate at 
Brompton, near the English metropolis, — receiving at will the atten- 
1 The widow of Benjamia Rolfe, Esq. 



652 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

tions of the literati of the British capital, — again a resident at Pai'is, 
and subject to all the inquietude naturally the result of the revolutions 
and the counter-revolutions of the fickle Government and people of 
France, — the Countess Rutnford, after long absence, returned in 1845 
from her sojourn in foreign lands, to end life's pilgrimage in her native 
State, upon the spot hallowed by the afflictions of a father, the suffer- 
ing of a widowed mother, and the tender recollections of her own 
childhood. Here she died — on the spot where she was born — on 
the 2d of December, inst., aged seventy-eight years. The Countess 
never married, but left as her chief mourner an adopted daughter, 
who assiduously and affectionately waited on her in the infirmities of 
of age, in her last sickness and death. Tlie Countess left a very con- 
siderable property which she has saved from her father's estates, and 
from a pension of nearly $1000 annually that she received for nearly 
forty years from the Bavarian Government in consideration of her 
father's services. The last years of her life were spent in quiet retire- 
ment, enjoying the social intercourse of a few family friends and ac- 
quaintances. She tastefully ornamented with trees and shrubbery the 
grounds about her residence ; and mindful, no doubt by her own ex- 
perience of the trials and sorrows to which orphans are subject, she in 
her last will made a charitable disposition of a large portion of her 
property, and particularly, as is understood, gave the place v/here she 
resided and the sum of about $15,000, for the establishment there of 
an asylum for widows and female orphan children of Concord." ^ Her 
remains were interred in the old burying-ground, by the side of her 
mother, and near the graves of the Walker family. 

Saltonstall, Col. Richard, was the eldest son of Richard 
Saltonstall, of Haverhill, Mass., a Judge of the Superior Court of that 
Province. He was born April 5, 1732, and graduated at Harvard 
College with distinguished honor, in 1751. Colonel Saltonstall en- 
tered the military service of the Province in the French War, in 
1756, and was at Fort William Henry, Lake George, at the time of 
the memorable capitulation and massacre, August 9, 1757. When 
the Indians fell upon the unarmed prisoners, he escaped, and ai'rived 
a few days afterwards at Fort Edward, on the Hudson, nearly ex- 
hausted by hunger and fatigue. He commanded a regiment from 1760 
to the close of the war. On his return to Haverhill, he was appointed 
Sheriff of the County of Essex, which office he held until he left the 

1 The Countess Rnmford has bequeathed in her will $15,000, and a homestead valued 
at $5000, for a Widow and Orphans' Asylum; $15,000 to the New Hampshire Insane 
Asylum ; and $2500 to the Concord Charitable Female Society. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 653 

country. He was one of the seventeen Rescinders. "When the dif- 
ficulties between the Colonies and the mother country came on, Col. 
Saltonstall was opposed to forcible resistance ; he believed it must 
be ineffectual, and that the Colonies would fall before the power of 
Great Britain. He was greatly beloved and respected, and often rep- 
resented the town in the General Court. It was long before he lost 
his popularity, notwithstanding his opinions ; but in the autumn of 
1774, a great number of persons collected before his house, armed 
with clubs, etc., and with threats of violence. Contrary to the advice 
of some friends who were with him, and who had gone for the purpose 
of aiding in his escape, he came to the door and addressed the excited 
assembly with great calmness, firmness, and dignity ; reminding them 
of his services for his country, that he had exposed his life in its de- 
fence, etc. Seldom has a speech been more effectual ; it quelled the 
excited passions of the multitude, and they dispersed. He was soon 
after compelled to take refuge in Boston, and embarked for England 
in 1775. 

Col. Saltonstall refused to accept a commission in the British Army, 
saying that if he could not conscientiously engage on the side of his 
country, he would not take up arms against her. His reputation as 
an officer was high, and it is supposed that he might have had an im- 
portant command in the American Army if he had embraced the 
popular cause. 

Col. Saltonstall was proscribed by the Law of 1778, and passed the 
remainder of his days in England. In one of his lettei's, written soon 
after the peace, he expressed great affection for the delightful place of 
his nativity ; but he added : — "I have no remorse of conscience for 
my past conduct. I have had more satisfaction in a private life here 
than I should have had in being next in command to General Wash- 
ington, whei'e I must have acted in conformity to the dictates of others, 
regardless of my own feelings." Colonel Saltonstall resided on the 
beautiful family estate in Haverhill, known as " the Saltonstall Place," 
where he lived in a style of liberal hospitality, sustaining the char- 
acter of a truly upright and honorable man, and an accomplished gen- 
tleman : he was never married. 

He was kindly received by his remote family connections in Eng- 
land; and his friends erected a monument to his memory at Kensing- 
ton, with the following inscription : — 

" Near this place are interred the remains of Richard Salton- 
stall, Esq., who died October 1, 1785, aged fifty-two. He was an 
American Loyalist, from Haverhill, in the Massachusetts ; where he 

55 * 



654 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

was descended from a first family, both for the principal share it had 
in the early erecting, as well as in rank and authority in governing 
that Province ; and wherein he himself sustained, with unshaken loy- 
alty and universal applause, various important trusts and commands 
under the Crown, both civil and military, from his youth till its revolt ; 
and throughout life maintained such an amiable private character as 
engaged him the esteem and regard of many friends. 

"As a memorial of his merits this stone is erected." 

Col. Saltonstall was a descendant in the sixth generation from Sir 
Richard Saltonstall, one of the patentees of the Colony of Massa- 
chusetts Bay, and who arrived at Salem, in the Arabella, (or Arbella,) 
June 12, 1630, with Governor Winthrop and their associates, "bring- 
ing out the Charter with them." Pie was also a patentee of Connecti- 
cut, and may be considered as one of the principal founders of both 
Colonies. A memoir of this family may be found in the publications 
of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 

Dr. Nathaniel Saltonstall, brother of Colonel Saltonstall, was a 
decided Whig of the Revolution. The late Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, 
of Salem, an able and eloquent Representative in Congress from Mas- 
sachusetts, was his son. Nathaniel, another son, after a successful 
mercantile career in Baltimore settled also in Salem, and they mar- 
ried Maiy and Caroline, daughters of the late Thomas Saunders, an 
eminent and opulent merchant. Richard, a third son, married Miss 
Savage, of Baltimore. 

There remain a number of descendants of these brothers, who long 
since passed to the spirit world. This ancient and honored family of 
Saltonstall still adoi'ns, as of old, the highest walks of life in New 
England. 

Sargent, John, Esq., born at Salem, Massachusetts, Dec. 24, 
1749 ; died at Barrington, Nova Scotia, Jan. 24, 1824. He was the 
fifth and last-born child of Epes Sargent, by his second wife, Catharine, 
widow of Col. Samuel Browne, of Salem. 

John married the widow Margaret Barnard, who died at Barring- 
ton the same year of her husband. They had four children. His 
eldest brother. Col. Paul Dudley Sargent, was a zealous fighting Whig 
of the Revolution, and, of course, indignant at the part his brother 
John took. John was a merchant of Salem. His name stands at the 
head of those who addressed Governor Gage on his arrival at Salem 
in 1774. This Address was pronounced time-serving and contempti- 
ble. He was proscribed in the Banishment Act of 1778, but had long 
before left the country. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 655 

At the time Col. Leslie attempted to obtain the guns secreted at 
Salem, Mr. Sargent was noticed waving a white handkerchief as a 
signal (from the roof of his house near the First Church) as the troops 
approached, and followed them to the bridge. On seeing the draw 
raised, he exclaimed, " it is all over with them." " What ? " asked his 
companion : to which he replied " they were going after the cannon." 
From that day Mr. Sargent absented himself from Salem forever. — 
C M. Endicotfs Account. 

SninLEY, William, Governor of Massachusetts, was a native of 
England, and was bred to the law. After his arrival at Boston, about 
the year 1733, he practised in his profession till he received his com- 
mission as Governor, in 1741, in the place of Mr. Belcher. He 
planned the successful expedition against Cape Breton in 1745 ; but, 
while his enterprising spirit desei'ves commendation, some of his 
schemes did not indicate much skill in the arts of navigation and war. 
He went to England in 1745, leaving Spencer Phips, the Lieutenant- 
Governor, Commander-in-Chief, but returned in 1753. In 1754 he 
held a treaty with the eastern Indians, and explored the Kennebec, 
erecting two or three forts. In 1755, being Commander-in-Chief of 
the British forces in America, he planned an expedition against Niag- 
ara, and proceeded himself as far as Oswego. In June, 1756, he 
was superseded in the command of the army by Abercrombie. He 
embarked for England in September, and was succeeded by Mr. 
Povvnall. After having been for a number of years Governor of one 
of the Bahama Islands, he returned to Massachusetts, and died at his 
seat in Roxbury, March 24, 1771. Though he held several of the 
most lucrative offices within the gift of the Crown in America, yet he 
left no property to his children. The abolition of the paper currency 
was owing to his firmness and perseverance. His penetration and 
industry gained him a high reputation. But it was thought that, as a 
military officer, he was not sufficiently active in seizing the moment for 
success. It was during his administration that England became ac- 
quainted w^ith the importance of this country, — and the Colonists 
learned to fight. 

Governor Shirley published " Electra," a tragedy, and the " Birth 
of Hercules," a masque, in 1765. 

SiLSBEE, Nathaniel, was an eminent master mariner, and confi- 
dential agent of Elias Hasket Derby, of Salem, where he was born 
9th Nov. 1748. He married Sarah Becket, Nov. 2, 1770, who sur- 
vived him forty-one years. He was the son of William and Joanna 
(Fowle) Silsbee. She died April 16, 1793, aged eighty. They 
owned and occupied the house on Essex Street, fronting Pleasant 



656 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Street. William was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Pickering) 
Silsbee ; she being a granddaughter of John Pickering, who migrated 
from Ipswich, England, to Salem, in 1633, and who erected the man- 
sion in Broad Street, still owned by the family ; John Pickering, Esq., 
being the present occupant. All Mr. Silsbee's American ancestors 
were of English origin, and all that bore his name were members of 
the East Religious Society in Salem. At a very early age Mr. Sils- 
bee was entrusted with the charge of a vessel and cargo to the West 
Indies, and subsequently he was the owner of several vessels em- 
ployed in that trade, it being almost the only branch of foreign com- 
merce pursued here, and which the mother Government had left com- 
paratively untrammelled to her enterprising transatlantic childi'en. 
He commanded the Grand Turk, on a voyage to the West Indies, and 
afterwards to Spain. While in the service of Mr. Derby, Capt. Sils- 
bee had charge of three of his vessels at one time in the West 
Indies, and by papers in the hands of Mr. Derby's heirs, he is shown 
to have possessed extraordinary ability and enterprise, whereby he 
secured the unbounded confidence of his employer. Mr. Derby thus 
writes to Capt. Silsbee, Feb. 13, 1776: — "The times at present are 
such I cannot determine what will be for the best, and must therefore 
leave it wholly to you, not doubting the business will be conducted 
with care." In reply, Capt. Silsbee writes Mr. Derby from St. Nich- 
olas Mole, March 17, 1776, "that he has received his letter and has 
disposed of the principal part of his three cargoes to good advantage ; 
despatched Capt. Hallet on his return ; shall visit Jamaica to learn 
the latest news, and govern himself accordingly ; that he shall not 
ship the principal part of the property until he can do so with safety, 
and after loading his vessels shall leave sufficient to load a fourth," 
and concludes : " I have sent you a gun and pair of pistols which you 
will please accept. I bought them for myself, but think you stand 
more in need of them than I do. N. Silsbee." 

In the course of a very few years he embarked in business on his 
own account, which he prosecuted with industry, uprightness, and 
success. He soon acquired what was then considered an indepen- 
dent fortune, had he chosen to retire with it ; but a person of his active 
habits, in middle age, would have been unhappy out of business, so 
he kept on until reverses reduced his estate to a single vessel, in the 
command of which he once moi-e braved the winds and waves where 
he had early sought and acquired fortune and fame. The blind god- 
dess failed to smile on these later efforts, and at the end of a disas- 
trous voyage, which terminated at New York, his valuable life was 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 657 

closed on the 25th of June, 1791, at the age of forty-three. His re- 
mains were interred in the cemetery of the New Brick Presbyterian 
Church fronting the Park. The reverses referred to caused a change 
in the plans of his sons, who subsequently sought and found their for- 
tunes where their father had won and lost his. Each of the three 
sons were masters and supercargoes of ships while in their teens, and 
became eminent and successful merchants. William, born in 1779, 
and Zachariah Fowle, born in 1783, are the sole survivors. Nathaniel, 
the eldest, w'as prosecuting his studies for college under the tuition of 
Rev. Dr. Cutler, at Hamilton, when the disasters overtook his father. 
He was born 14th January, 1773, and at eighteen was master and 
supercargo of the Jjr'ig Hose ; and Richard J. Cleveland, celebrated for 
his voyages and travels, was his mate. Mr. Nathaniel Silsbee rose to 
affluence and great consequence, and after the attainment of a fortune 
he devoted many years to the civil service of his country. He graced 
both branches of the Legislature of Massachusetts, and for three 
years was President of its Senate. He was in Congress as a Repre- 
sentative, from 1816 to 1820, and was a United States Senator from 
1826 to 1835. No legislator was ever held in higher estimation by 
his colaborers and constituents; his name, ever synonymous with 
honor and usefulness, is held in grateful remembrance by his fellow- 
citizens. Mr. Silsbee married Mary, daughter of George Crownin- 
shield, Esq., who died Sept. 20, 1835. Their only son, bearing his 
father's name, married Mary Ann, only daughter of Humphrey 
Devereux, Esq., and of late resides in Boston. Of their two daugh- 
ters, Mary C. is the wife of Jared Sparks, LL. D., and Georgiana of 
Henry Saltonstall, Esq. The Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee, Sen., died at 
Salem, July 1, 1850, aged seventy-seven years. 

Simpson, Jonathan, born at Boston, October 19, 1711, was son 
of Jonathan and Mary Simpson. He was a merchant, and was mar- 
ried to Margaret Lechmere, January 31, 1754. He was appointed a 
Councillor by writ of mandamus in 1774, but declined to serve ; and 
with his wife left Boston for Halifax in April, 1775 ; from thence 
they went to Kensington in England, where Mrs. Simpson died in 
1778. Mr. Simpson removed to Bristol in 1779, where he died Sept. 
19, 1795. 

Simpson, Jonathan, 2nd, a nephew of the above, was born at 
Boston, 1752 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1772 ; married a 
daughter of John Boi'land, of Cambridge. He was a Refugee ; was 
proscribed in 1778. He was at Charleston, S. C, a Coramissaiy of 
Provisions in the British Army. After the peace of 1783 he re- 



658 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

turned, and for some years was owner of the large Borland estate in 
Cambridge, and built the house afterward owned and occupied by the 
Warland family. He died at Boston, December 7, 1834, aged eighty- 
two. He left five daughters. 

Sparhawk, Samuel Hirst, graduated at Harvard College, 1771, 
an Addresser of Gov. Gage, and a Refugee to England with his broth- 
ers Nathaniel and William, was the third son of Col. Nathaniel Spar- 
hawk, of Kittery, who married the only child of Sir William Pepper- 
ell, Baronet, the hero of Louisburg in 1745. Mr. Sparhawk's brother 
William became heir to the estate and honors of his grandfather, hav- 
ing been created a Baronet in 1774. The former died in Kittery, 
August 29, 1789, aged thirty-eight. 

Steuben, General. Frederick William Augustus, Baron Steu- 
ben, an officer of the American Revolution, was born in Magde- 
burg, Prussia, Nov. 15, 1730 ; died near Utica, New York, Nov. 28, 
1794. 

He was educated at the Jesuit College of Neisse and Breslau, and 
when only fourteen years old served as a volunteer under his father, 
who was an officer in the army of Frederick the Great, and at the 
siege of Prague. In 1747 he was appointed a Cadet in an infantry 
regiment, became an Ensign in 1749, and a Lieutenant in 1753. 

In 1757 he distinguished himself at the battle of Prague and Ross- 
bach ; in 1758 was appointed Adjutant-General, and was in the battles 
of Kay and Kunersdorf, in the latter of which he was wounded. 

On the capitulation of Treptow, in 1761, he was sent to St. Peters- 
burg as a prisoner of war, but released shortly afterward. 

In 1762 he was appointed Adjutant-General of the King's staff, 
and had charge of the Quartermaster's Department. He was a mem- 
ber of Fi'ederick's select academy of young officers, who were under 
his special instruction ; and after the siege of Schweidnitz, in which 
he participated, the King presented him with a valuable lay benefice. 
At the close of the seven years' war, Steuben retired from the army 
and devoted himself to travel, accompanying the Prince of Hohen- 
zoUern-Hechingen to a number of the courts of Europe. That 
Prince appointed him, in 1764, Grand Marshal and General of his 
guard. Steuben was on terms of intimacy and friendship with a num- 
ber of European literary characters and noblemen of his time. In 
1777, while on a visit to France, the Count St. Germain solicited him 
to come to America ; and Steuben, after frequent interviews with the 
American Commissioners, finally decided to acquiesce. He arrived 
at Portsmouth, N. H., Dec. 1, 1777, and immediately wrote to Con- 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 659 

gress and to Gen. "Washington, tendering his strongest sympathy with 
the cause of the Colonies. 

Shortly after he proceeded to York, Penn., where Congress was in 
session, was directed to join the army under Washington, and during 
the winter arrived at Valley Forge. 

On May 5, 1778, he was appointed Inspector-General, with the 
rank of Major- General, and by his excellent management greatly im- 
proved the condition of the continental troops. In June following he 
was at the battle of Monmouth. He prepared a Manual for the 
Army, which was approved by Congress in 1779, and introduced the 
most thorough discipline ; and much of the success of the Revolution 
is to be attributed to his sagacious and rigid regulations. This work 
sujjplanted Col. Pickering's book, formed from old writers on the sub- 
ject at the commencement of the struggle in behalf of liberty. 

He was a member of the court-martial on the trial of Major Andre. 

In 1780 he was placed in command of the troops in Virginia, and 
in January following was active in harassing the British forces under 
Benedict Arnold. The next summer he was attached to General La- 
fayette's division, and took an important part in the siege of York- 
town. He was distinguished for his generosity and kindness of heart, 
and was frequently known to share his last dollar with the suffering 
soldiers. At various times he contributed most of his clothing and 
camp equipments to the men, and labored unceasingly to promote their 
comfort and welfare. 

After the war, in the impoverished condition of the country. Con- 
gress was tardy in rewarding him for his services, and he experienced 
much annoyance and vexatious delay in securing an appropriation for 
his pay, and to reimburse him for personal expenses incurred in pro- 
viding the soldiers with clothing and arms. 

In 1790 Congress voted him a life annuity of $2500. Several of 
the States passed resolutions acknowledging his eminent services, and 
voted him tracts of land. New York presented him with 16,000 
acres, near Utica, forming a township called after him Steuben, on 
which he settled and passed the remainder of his life, giving portions 
of the land to his aides, and leasing the remainder to settlers. His life 
has been written by Francis Bowen, in " Sparks's American Biogra- 
phy." 

An inscription attributed to General North, one of his aides, adorns 
an elegant tablet iixed conspicuously on the wall of the German Lu- 
theran Church, in which the Baron was a constant and devout wor- 
shipper while a resident in the city of New York. He died suddenly 



660 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

at his seat in Herkimer County, and was buried, agreeably to his de- 
sire, under an evergreen of peculiar form, on his own land. — Ameri- 
can Cyclopcedia, Vol. XV., and Alden's American Epitaphs, Vol. IV. 
p. 255. 

Stevens, George Alexander, an English author, born in 
London in the early part of the eighteenth century, died in 1784. He 
commenced life as a strolling actor, and gradually acquired some rep- 
utation as a writer of burlesques and of comic songs. In 1760 he 
published a novel, " The History of Tom Fool," and a few years 
later produced an entertainment entitled, " A Lecture on Heads," 
which he gave with remarkable success. He also published a volume 
of" Songs, Comic and Satirical," (1772,) and after his death appeared 
" The Adventures of a Speculist, compiled from the Papers of G. A. 
Stevens, with his Life, a Preface, and Notes " (1778). Of his 
Songs, one hundred in number, one only, " The Storm," is still popu- 
lar. — American Cyclopcedia. 

Taylor, Joseph, A. M., was born in Boston, March 26, 1746, 
and graduated at Harvard College in 1765. In a letter from Isaac 
Smith, relating to Dr. J. Eliot, he states that Taylor delivered the 
English oration at Commencement in 1765. If he was not the best 
Latin scholar, he was among the few who were most distinguished, 
and was chosen to deliver an oration in Latin at the funeral of Pro- 
fessor Wigglesworth. He was subsequently a merchant of high re- 
spectability. Mr. Taylor was proscribed and banished in 1778, went 
to England, and returned after peace was proclaimed. In his latter 
years he was deranged in intellect, and died December 15, 1816. 

Temple, Robert, Esq., of Tenhills, near Boston, was an elder 
brother of Sir John Temple, Baronet, the first Consul-General from 
England to the United States. Mr. Robert Temple's eldest daughter 
married the Hon. Hans Blackwood, afterwards Lord Duffrin ; the 
second married Temple Emmet, Esq., and the youngest died single. 
Mr. Temple died in England before 1783, and his death is noticed in 
the " list of exiles who died during the Revolution," published in the 
"American Quarterly Review," 1841. 

Thomas, Nathaniel Ray, Esq., of Marshfield, Bristol County, 
Mass., was born in 1731, at Green Harbor, and graduated at Harvard 
College in 1751 ; appointed by writ of mandamus a Councillor in 1774, 
but declined serving. He was proscribed in the Act of 1778, and died 
at Windsor, Nova Scotia, 19th September, 1787. 

His immediate most remote ancestor of whom we have any account 
was one of the merchant adventurers to the Colony, and came from 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 661 

Wales about 1636. He went to Green Harbor with Mr. Blenman 
about 1641, and permanently settled there in 1645, where he died in 
1651, aged seventy-seven. 

His son, Capt. Nathaniel Thomas, succeeded to the estate. He was 
also of transatlantic birth, and in the prime of manhood when he 
came to Green Harbor. He died in 1674, aged about sixty-eight, 
leaving a son, Nathaniel, and other children. Nathaniel married 
Deborah, daughter of Nicholas Jacob, of Hingham, in 1643, and their 
son Nathaniel married Mary Appleton in 1694, and died at Plymouth 
in 1738. His son John succeeded to the Green Harbor estate, and 
married Mary, daughter of Simon and Judith (Manwaring) Ray, of 
New London, Connecticut, in 1724. John Thomas and wife both 
died in 1737, leaving but one surviving child, of eight born to them, 
Nathaniel Ray, who became the noted Loyalist of Marshfield. 

His mansion-house was converted into quarters for British soldiers. 
He joined their army at Boston, and accompanied it to Halifax on its 
evacuation. 

Mrs. Thomas was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Parker Deer- 
ing of Boston. She died at Windsor, Nova Scotia, in 1810, aged 
seventy-eight. 

Mr. Thomas's family returned to their home after the retreat of the 
Queen's Guards therefrom, having sojourned at a neighbor's dui'ing 
the period of the occupation of their house by the troops. 

At the close of the war the estate of their fathers was confiscated, 
(with the exception of one third,) and they joined, with one exception, 
(viz., the late Capt. John Thomas,) their husband and father at Nova 
Scotia. 

Thorndike, Israel. The year 1757 gave birth to Israel Thorn- 
dike, who became heroic in naval exploits during our Revolutionary 
struggle, and subsequently a preeminent merchant and distinguished 
citizen. His father, Andrew, descended from Paul Thorndike, all na- 
tives of Beverly, Massachusetts. The last mentioned was mai'ried there 
in 1668, and was a Representative to the General Court. The subject 
of this memoir had in youth no other advantages than what the town 
school afforded, and these were quite inferior to those of the present 
day. 

Possessing in the vigor of his own mind a never-failing spring of 
self-advancement, he improved his opportunities to the utmost, limited 
as they were, and early became qualified to take a stand in the com- 
munity. The Revolutionary War called forth his latent powers ; a 
spirit of enterprise actuated his movements, and he embarked with 

56 



662 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

unsurpassed zeal on the side of his country. As First Lieutenant to 
the renowned Capt Jonathan Haraden in the Pickering, he performed 
prodigies of valor, and acquired among his comrades the cognomen of 
the " Bravest of the brave." Capt. Thorndike afterwards commanded 
the Scorpion privateer, and others, with great success. Among the 
papers of the Salem Marine Society is a note, of which the following 
is a copy : — 

" The naval warfare represented as from Salem was performed 
equally by citizens of this town, Beverly, Marblehead, and Danvers. 
These four towns supplied all the officers, and a large portion of the 
crews, who were patriotic, and in the most critical times could be 
depended upon ; there was a portion of strangers and foreigners taken 
to complete the complement of each of the numerous vessels from 
this place. Salem had her Fiske, Haraden, and Gray ; Beverly, her 
Thorndike, Tittle, and Woodbury ; Marblehead, her Mugford, Tucker, 
and Cole ; and Danvers, her Foster, Page, and Endicott.^ Each town 
had more of the same patriot stamp." 

The following compressed account was prepared by the indefatiga- 
ble William Wait Oliver, Esq., who was a Clerk and Deputy Collector 
of the Customs for this district for more than forty-six years, from 
April, 1793; his accuracy is unquestionable: — 

" Soon after the close of the war for independence, Capt. Thorn- 
dike embarked in commercial pursuits in partnership with Mr. Moses 
Brown ; they had married sisters, the Misses Bridge. Mr. Brown 
retired with a competency at the close of the century, and Col. Thorn- 
dike then branched out largely. In the year 1800, Mr. Briggs built 
for him the ship Cyrus of 305 tons ; Capt. Leech took command, and 
sailed for Calcutta with $205,000. In July, 1801, he returned with 
a full cargo of cotton goods. The largest ship he owned while in 
Beverly was the Alexander Hodgdon of 382 tons. During the last 
quarter of the year 1807, Col. Thorndike had a ship from Sumatra, 
one from Calcutta, one from Havana, and six or seven other vessels 
from Europe and the West Indies ; on their cargoes the duties 
amounted to $93,000. The embargo of December 22, 1807, stopped 
all commerce till it was removed in 1809. In the spring of 1810, 
Col. Thorndike closed his business in Beverly and removed to Boston. 
While preparing for this change, his pastor. Rev. Dr. Abbott, who had 
come from Haverhill at a greatly increased salary, endeavored to 

1 The late Capt. Samuel Endicott, a worthy descendant of our First Governor 
Endicott, and long a successful and enterprising merchant, and an esteemed citizen 
of Salem. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 663 

dissuade the Colonel from his purpose, and among other things 
reminded him of the proverb, "A rolling stone gathers no moss ; " to 
which the Colonel replied, " that the adage did not always hold good, 
for he knew a stone that rolled from Haverhill to Beverly, which 
gained a great deal of moss ; so he concluded to try it." At the time 
of removal he had a large amount of goods on hand for exportation 
to Europe, and he wished me to settle his business at the Custom- 
house, so as to save him the trouble of coming to Salem when his 
liabilities became due, and I undertook it, receiving all his deben- 
tures ; at the close I paid him the balance. He received the 
account, which filled three sheets of paper, without comment, and 
offered to remunerate me for my trouble, but I declined, saying the 
Collector pays me my salary ; I never take money from anybody. 

"In 1807 the duties on goods imported into Salem amounted to 
$1,131,000. This was the greatest amount ever paid here. In 1808, 
the duties on imports amounted to but $650,000. In 1817 there 
went from Salem to the East Indies thirty-two ships, two bai'ks, four- 
teen brigs, and one schooner, — forty-nine vessels in all. The largest 
merchant ships belonging to Salem merchants, from 1791 to 1836, 
were G. Crowninshield & Sons' America, 654 tons ; E. Hasket 
Derby's Grand Turk, 564 tons ; Joseph Peabody's Carthage, 426 
tons ; William Gray's Laurel, 425 tons." 
This closes Mr. Oliver's account. 

Col. Thorndike's commercial transactions continued to be extensive 
and profitable after his removal to Boston to the close of his life ; his 
sagacity, judgment, and industry insured success to his various enter- 
prises. He became an early patron of manufactures, and it was said 
he invested a greater amount in them than any other capitalist of 
New England. 

He was a member of the Convention called by this State for the 
adoption of the Constitution of the United States. Subsequently he 
was a member of both branches of the State Legislature, and a most 
popular officer as Colonel of the militia of his neighborhood. 

Col. Thorndike was an ardent supporter of the Administration of 
Washington and Adams, and deprecated the disastrous result, which 
he foresaw, to the restrictive policy of the succeeding one, which ended 
in the annihilation of trade by the embargo. 

He was a generous contributor to all patriotic and charitable ob- 
jects, and often gave his active agency in their support. He sub- 
scribed five hundred dollars, in the year 1806, for the foundation of 
the " Natural History Professorship " in Harvard University, and the 



664 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

same sum, in 1818, for the Library of the Theological School. In the 
same year, being informed that the library of Professor Ebeling, of 
Hamburg, was for sale, and that the agent of the King of Prussia 
was negotiating for it, Col. Thorndike ordered it to be purchased, at 
the cost of six thousand five hundred dollars, and presented it to our 
University, thereby securing to his country one of the most complete 
and valuable collections of works extant, on American history. It 
included three hundred and fifty volumes of American newspapers. 

Col. Thorndike died 10th May, 1832, aged seventy-five, leaving a 
very large estate to his children, none of whom are now living but 
Israel, and Anna, the Avidow of William J. Loring. By his second 
wife, the daughter of George Dodge, Esq., he had the daughter above 
mentioned, and five sons. From the third marriage, with a daughter 
of the Rev. Dr. Dana, of Ipswich, there was no progeny. 

It has been very justly remarked, that few individuals endowed 
with such mental efficiency as Israel Thorndike possessed appear in 
a generation ; and when their influence is united to high moral pow- 
ers, and exerted on the side of virtue, it serves to give a character to 
the age in which they live. 

Upham, Colonel Joshua, was born in Brookfield, Mass., in 1741. 
His father, Jabez, was a physician, having removed to that place from 
Maiden, where the family had settled in the early period of the Col- 
ony. A son of one of his brothers, the Rev. Timothy Upham, settled 
in Deerfield, N. H., was the grandfather of Professor Thomas C. Up- 
ham, of Bowdoin College, and Judge Nathaniel G. Upham, of Con- 
cord, N. H. The " Boston Daily Post Boy and Advertiser " of Novem- 
ber 24, 1760, contains an obituary notice of Dr. Jabez Upham, who died 
in Brookfield on the 4th of November of that year. He is represented 
as having been a very prominent and distinguished person, not only 
in his profession, but as a man of business, exerting a wide-spread in- 
fluence in matters of agriculture, trade, and general industry. He 
was active in directing the civil concerns of the town, the leader of its 
train-band during the PVench war, and its Representative in the House 
of Assembly. His private virtues are spoken of in the highest 
terms. 

His son Joshua received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Har- 
vard College in 1763, in a class containing a large number of persons 
who acted a conspicuous part in life ; such as the illustrious patriot 
Josiah Quincy, Jr., Judge Nathan Gushing, Dr. John Jeffries, Timo- 
thy Pickering, and others. Tie received the degree of Master of Arts 
from Harvard, in course, and from Yale College. He commenced 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 665 

the practice of law in his native town, and continued with success, 
making his mark deeply on tiie records of the bar of Worcester 
County. At the same time he took a leading part in promoting the 
industrial interests of the country. 

Among the movements of the people in resistance to the policy of 
the mother country, by which an imperial I'evenue was to be derived 
from taxation, by the British Parliament, of goods imported into the 
Colonies, was a town-meeting held in Worcester, in March, 1768, for 
the purpose of promoting manufactures in the Colony. In " Lincoln's 
History of Worcester " it is stated that in the fall of that year Joshua 
Upham and his brothers had erected a large building in Brookfield for 
a woollen manufactory, collected an adequate force of operatives, and 
were preparing to carry on the business on an extensive scale. At 
a somewhat later period he engaged with others in arrangements 
to introduce the manufacture of salt in the maritime ports of the 
Colony. 

When the Revolutionary struggle approached, he, with many other 
good and conscientious men, was apprehensive that an attempt to re- 
sist the power of England, at that time, by force of arms, was unwise, 
and would lead to disastrous and ruinous results. In the second vol- 
ume of " American Archives," page 852, fourth series, is a letter from 
him to the Committee of Correspondence of the town of Brookfield, 
dated May 20th, 1775, from which it appears that he defined his posi- 
tion as follows : He claimed the right, in that stage of the question, to 
express his views on the subject. He also claimed, as a right, if after 
the matter had been more maturely considered, in free debate, it 
should appear that the majority of the people were determined to 
resort to the last alternative, he should be allowed to take part and lot 
with them. In this letter he disclaims setting up his own private 
judgment against the public judgment, and only demands to be al- 
lowed, by the free expression of his opinions, to take his rightful share 
in forming that public judgment. "I can truly say," to quote his 
own words, " that I shall rejoice at the salvation of the country, even 
though the same be obtained by the very measures which have ap- 
peared to me to be improper, ajid not likely to be successful." He 
further says, " I now declare that I mean and intend to submit to 
what I find to be the sense and resolution of the majority of ray 
countrymen, and expect to bear an equal share and proportion of such 
public charge and expense as shall be deemed by such majority nec- 
essary to extricate this country out of its present alarming and criti- 
cal situation ; nor is there anything I hold so dear, in comparison of 

56 * 



666 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

my country's good, that I would not risk in its defence — even life 
itself, if necessary." 

The tide of public feeling, however, had risen so high, that the po- 
sition he took could not be tolerated, and the result was unavoidable. 
He became an exile, and his estates were confiscated. For some 
time he was charged, by appointment of the British Commander-in- 
Chief, with the care and supervision of Royal Refugees. A personal 
friendship, which continued through life, between him and Sir Guy 
Carleton, afterwards Lord Dorchester, led to his appointment on the 
staff of that officer, as one of his aides. At the close of the war he 
held the rank of Colonel of dragoons. As the British forces remained 
in New York some time after the termination of hostilities, an oppor- 
tunity was afforded for the interchange of courtesies between those 
who had been arrayed against each other in the long and hotly con- 
tested struggle. His place in Lord Dorchester's military family, and 
his former extensive acquaintance with gentlemen who had acted con- 
spicuous parts on the Revolutionary side, and who went to New York 
on the occasion, enabled him to render agreeable civilities to them, 
and to renew old friendships. His college classmate and room-mate, 
Col. Pickering, not being able to leave his post, sent him an affection- 
ate letter, and the correspondence, expressive of the strong personal 
friendship between them, is still preserved. 

Major Garden, in his interesting volume of anecdotes of the war in 
the Southern Department, relates an anecdote that may well be intro- 
duced here. The British troops, it will be recollected, were in red, 
and the American in blue, uniforms. " About the period of the final 
departure of the British from New York, an excellent repartee made 
by Major Upham, aide-de-camp to Sir Guy Carleton, to Miss Susan 
Livingston, has been much celebrated. ' In mercy, Major,' said Miss 
Livingston, 'use your influence with the Commander-in-chief to accel- 
erate the evacuation of the city ; for, among your incarcerated belles, 
your meschianza princesses, the scarlet fever must continue to rage till 
your departure.' 'I should studiously second your wishes,' replied 
the Major, ' wei'e I not apprehensive that, freed from the prevailing 
malady, a worse would follow, and that they would be immediately 
tormented with the blue devils.' " 

On the organization of the government of the Province of New 
Brunswick, he was appointed one of the Judges of the Supreme 
Court. It is a singular circumstance that Joshua Upham, Jonathan 
Bliss, and Samson Salter Blowers, who, in college, were placed side 
by side in the class arrangement, and whose names stand in that order 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 667 

in the triennial catalogue, were all placed on the judicial bench in the 
Colonies. 

In 1807 he was selected by his brethren on the bench to visit Eng- 
land, for the purpose of obtaining from the Government a more perfect 
organization and arrangement of the judiciary in the British Ameri- 
can Provinces. He fully succeeded in the object of his appointment, 
but did not live to return to his country. He died in London in the 
year 1808. While in London he enjoyed the friendship of Mr. 
Palmei', who afterwards bequeathed his valuable library to our Uni- 
versity, of Sir John Wentworth, Sir William Pepperrell, and Mr. 
Percival. 

The last-named gentleman was at the head of the Ministry, as 
Chancellor of the Exchequer, at the time of Judge Upham's death, 
and extended his attachment to his distant, and to him unknown fam- 
ily, performing for them many offices of kindness, sending pleasing 
tokens of his regard, and only a few days before his assassination at 
the door of the House of Commons, transmitted four hundred silver 
dollars to assist in the education of Judge Upham's son (Hon. Charles 
W. Uphani, now of Salem, Massachusetts), in addition to several 
other gifts appropriate to a child of his years. 

Judge Upham left a family of young children, without any other 
inheritance than the love, gratitude, and veneration of the whole 
people of the country of which he was one of the early settlers, 
and whose institutions and welfare he did so much to establish and 
promote. His name and memory were a passport to all good offices, 
and secured them the protection, friendship, and kindness of all de- 
scriptions of persons. 

He was buried in London, in the Church of Mary le Bone. His 
first wife was a daughter of Col. John Murray, of Rutland, Mass. 
His second wife, who survived him, was a daughter of Hon. Joshua 
Chandler, of New Haven, Conn. Her father's mansion-house, in that 
city, was afterwards converted into a hotel, known as the " Tontine," 
occupying the site of the present building of that name. Judge 
Upham's dwelling-house in Brookfield, a large building constructed in 
the best style of that day, was also converted into a hotel, and is well 
remembered by all who, in the times of stage-coach travelling, had 
occasion to pass that way. * 

Willard, in his " History of the Worcester Bar," thus speaks of 
him : — " Judge Upham held a high rank as counsellor and advocate ; 
he had a great command of language ; not a mere flow of words, but 
the music and harmony of arrangement and style ; the well of Eng- 
lish undefiled, and adorned with classical elegance. He possessed, in 



668 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

a remarkable degree, that rare talent, fine powers of conversation, of 
which Lord Bacon laid down the true rule ; and indulged occasionally 
in a happy vein of satire. With brilliancy and wit he united many 
virtues, and a sound judgment. 

" Judge Upham was pleasing in his person and address, while he 
was imbued with all that grace which comes before education, and 
which education can hardly bestow. Like Bliss, he was of that pecu- 
liar class of the old school of manners, of which, probably, even the 
youngest among us have seen some surviving specimens. 

' He was complete in feature and in mind, 
With all good grace to grace a gentleman.' " 

Vaughan, Lieut.-Col. William, served under General Pep- 
perrell, in the expedition against Louisburg, in 1745; although he 
refused any regular command, he made himself highly useful during 
the whole siege by his advice in councils, vigilance in reconnoitring 
the enemy, and promptitude while in command of perilous enter- 
prises. 

He died in London, December, 1746, in the prime of life, where he 
went to press his claim for the above service. The immediate pater- 
nal ancestor of Col. Vaughan was Major William Vaughan, who came 
from Englapd about the middle of the seventeenth century, and set- 
tled at Portsmouth, where he became a wealthy merchant. He died 
in 1720. His son George was Lieutenant-Governor of New Hamp- 
shire; born in 1668, graduated at Harvard College in 1696. After- 
wards agent for the Province, and on the accession of George I. was 
appointed Lieutenant-Governor in 1715; he died December, 1725. 
His son William, the subject of the above, was born at Portsmouth, 
September 12, 1703. He had settled at Damariscotta, thirteen miles 
below fort Pemaquid, and his men were employed in fishing. Here 
he conceived the idea of the capture of Louisburg, repaired to Boston, 
and conferred with Governor Shirley upon the subject ; proposing 
that it should be taken by surprise by going over the walls in winter 
upon drifts of snow. 

Walter, Rev. William, D. D., a son of the Rev. Nathaniel 
Walter of Roxbury, was born October 7, 1737 ; graduated at Harvard 
College in 1756. He was Assistant Minister of Trinity Church, Bos- 
ton, while the Rev. Mr. Hooper officiated there, and was installed 
Rector of the same, July 22, 1764. He resigned March 17, 1776. In 
1791 he returned from England, whither he fled in 1776, and became 
Rector of Christ Church, Boston, in which he continued to the close 
of his life, December 5, 1800. He married Lydia, daughter of Chief 
Justice Lynde, of Salem, September 30, 1766, who died December 25, 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 669 

1798. They were the parents of Lynde and William Walter, mer- 
chants of Boston. The Eev. Dr. Parker, who preached Dr. Walter's 
funeral sermon, described his character as ornamental to religion, the 
Church, literature, and humanity. — Holmes's Annals. 

Ward, Richard, of Salem, son of Joshua Ward, one of the 
Justices for Essex County, first appointed on the establishment of 
Republican Government in Massachusetts, was born in Salem, April 
5, 1741. He ardently espoused the popular cause with his father, 
and opposed the arbitrary measures of Parliament. He was a mem- 
ber of the Committee of Safety and Protection during the entire 
period of the Revolution, and under direction of Gen. Charles Lee, 
constructed at the Neck the fort bearing his name, for the defence of 
the harbor and town of Salem. He accompanied Col. Pickering 
with the regiment, in which he was a subaltern officer, as soon as the 
Lexington affair was known, to Medfoi'd, in order to intercept the 
enemy, but they were not in season. They also took up the line of 
march for the heights of Gharlestown on 17th June, but arrived too 
late to participate in the affair of Bunker Hill. 

His commission, dated at Watertown, June 6, 1776, as ^'■Captain of 
the Third Company of the First Regiment of Essex County, xohereof 
Timothy Pickering. Jr., is Colonel" was granted " hy the major part 
of the Council of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England" and by 
them signed, during the interval between Colonial and Republican 
Government, on paper bearing the impress of the crown and the sign 
manual of the King, with the Colonial seal appended. The following 
are the signatures attached to it ; and of those who signed it, one was 
afterwards President of the Continental Congress, and six were Gov- 
ernors and Lieutenant-Governors of Massachusetts, viz. : — J. Bow- 
doin, J. Winthrop, Caleb Cushing, R. Derby, Jr., T. Gushing, B. Lin- 
coln, S. Holten, Jabez Fisher, Moses Gill, B. White, William Phillips, 
Benjamin Austin, John Whetcomb, Henry Gardner, Daniel Davis, and 
D. Hopkins. Mr. Ward had married the daughter of George Curwen, 
in 1762, and owing to her feeble health, the cares of his numerous fam- 
ily devolved upon him ; and its imperative claims, as well as that of 
their uncle's family, (the author of the foregoing Journal,) pressed so 
heavily that he was obliged, after having served with his regiment, 
commanded by Coh Pickering, in New Jersey, under Washington, in 
1776, to retire from the military service of his country. He was for 
a long period at the head of the town government, and a member of 
the State Legislature, as well as an acting Justice of the quorum for 
Essex County many years. He was from the beginning prominent 



670 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

in the ranks of the anti-Federal or old Republican party, but never a 
heated partisan. 

Mr. Ward possessed great firmness and equanimity of temper, and 
his suavity of manners and obliging disposition endeared him to all. 
He died in November, 1824, in the eighty -fourth year of his age. 
Children of his sons, (George C, and Samuel C, father of the editor,) 
and Richard, are living in different parts of the Union. 

Warren, Admiral Sir Peter, was born in Ireland, and long 
employed in the British Navy on the American coast. He cooperated 
with General Pepperrell in the siege and capture of Louisburg. He 
contributed seven hundred pounds sterling towards the successful 
establishment of the school for christianizing the Stockbridge Indians. 
He purchased lands in the valley of the Mohawk River, New York, 
and invited his nephew to occupy and improve them. His nephew 
became the renowned Sir William Johnson, Baronet. Sir Peter died 
in England in 1752. 

West, Nathaniel, whose age so neai'ly approximated an hundred 
years that we may say he flourished during four generations of his 
race, in the most active and enterprising walks of life. He was the 
chronicler of the past, and the best authority for the history of our 
commerce from the beginning. Nathaniel, second son of William and 
Mary (Beckford) West, was born at Salem, 31st January, 175G, and 
died there December 19th, 1851. The eldest son Ebenezer, and Ed- 
ward, the third and last, were also possessed of as daring and enter- 
prising a spirit as their brother ; and early selected the ocean for their 
field of action. The subject of this memoir was amongst the pioneers 
in all the branches of trade, and knew their origin and progress through 
their various stages. He was in England when our Revolution com- 
menced, and the Government ordering the arrest of all Americans 
found there, his escape from being made a prisoner was thus effected : 
His father and himself had been acquainted in America with Captain 
Edwards, commander of a seventy-four gun ship, and when Mr. West 
made known his situation, Capt. Edwards gave him a midshipman's 
warrant, and took him on board his ship. It was not long before Mr. 
West found a vessel bound to Spain, engaged a passage, and without 
notifying his friend, sailed for Spain. On his arrival there he found 
the privateer Oliver Cromwell, Capt. Cole, of Salem, and came home 
with him. He made several cruises in this and other ai'med vessels, 
taking many prizes. He participated with the gallant Haraden in 
several contests, and was the last survivor of the band that had so 
largely contributed to the success of our country's cause. Whilst thus 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 671 

engaged, he, with Capt. Nathaniel Silsbee as liis Lieutenant, put into 
the port of Cork, on a dark night, and cut out and took away a valuable 
prize. He also made successful cruises as captain of the privateer 
Black Prince ; she carried eighteen guns and one hundred and fifty 
men. On the 8th July, 1779, he was ordered, together with the 
Hector, Capt. John Carnes, of Salem, and the Hunter, to join the fleet 
at Nantasket Roads in preparation for the Penobscot Expedition, in 
which they all joined, but unfortunately the Black Prince was driven 
on shore, captured and burnt by the enemy's fleet. 

Mr. Derby had a flne ship built and fitted for a cruiser, to be em- 
ployed on the coast of France in 1782, for Captain West to command. 
On her arrival at a French port, news of preliminaries of peace being 
signed was proclaimed, and consequently the Astrea returned to Salem 
bringing the first news of peace. 

Capt. West was soon after in London, and on learning that Captain 
Edwards, who had so befriended him at the breaking out of the war, 
had been promoted to an Admiralship, and was then on a distant sta- 
tion, immediately wrote him a grateful acknowledgment of his kind- 
ness in rescuing him from a prison-ship, and stating that a desire of 
serving his countiy could only have caused him to leave his ship in so 
unceremonious a manner. 

He now embarked in commerce, and pursued it with continued suc- 
cess until he had amassed a large fortune. 

On the 27th September, 1782, William West, Esq., father of the 
three sons before mentioned, obtained a flag of truce to go on board 
the Jupiter man-of-war, then cruising off Cape Ann, in order to effect 
an excliange for his eldest son, Capt. Ebenezer West, on board, who 
had been for nearly four years a prisoner of war ; this object he 
failed at that time to accomplish, but it was soon after effected. 
Soon after the exchange, peace was proclaimed, and Captain Ebenezer 
West ^ad command of the Grand Turk, a fine ship belonging to 
Mr. Derby, in which he performed voyages to Batavia, Isle of France, 
and finally to China. This was the first voyage by an American ves- 
sel to Canton, which he completed and returned to Salem in 1786. 

Captain Edward West, the youngest of the three brothers, all mas- 
ter mariners, was in command of his brother Nathaniel's ship Her- 
cules, seized in Naples in 1809, and it was his good fortune to obtain 
her release in order to transport Lucien Bonaparte and family to 
Malta, which enterprise he accomplished, and saved his ship from 
confiscation. He died but a short time before his brother Nathaniel, 
aged ninety-one. 



672 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Nathaniel West, Esq., was twice married : first to Elizabetli, daugh- 
ter of his early patron, Elias Hasket Derby ; and second, to Julia, 
daughter of Warham Parks, Esq., of Westtield, Massachusetts ; — an 
only son was the fruit of this connection, Richard West, Esq., of Con- 
cord, N. H. The children of tlie first marriage are all deceased. Na- 
thaniel graduated at Harvard College in 1807, and married Mary 
White, and was a merchant. Martha and Sally died unmarried. 
Eliza was the wife of Edward Lander, Esq., and they were the 
parents of the late gallant General Frederick W. Lander, of Chief 
Justice Lander of Oregon, of Miss Elizabeth Lander, and of Louisa, 
the eminent sculptor, and of Sarah, a writer of celebrity. 

After making ample provision for all his descendants, Mr. West, at 
the close of a long life, feeling a deep interest in his townsmen, pro- 
vided for the wants of such as venture upon the perils of a seafaring 
life by bequeathing the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, placed in 
the hands of trustees, to the Salem Marine Society, to enable it to 
sustain a " nautical and commercial " school for the young men of 
Salem. A proud testimonial of the generous heart of one whose 
early life had been passed upon the seas, whose meridian was that of 
an enterprising and successful merchant, and whose long protracted 
later years were those of a philanthropic citizen. 

Li person Mr. West was of fine figui-e, and of a majestic mien and 
gait. He never forgot the dignity which belonged to his years and 
station. 

WiNSLOW, Edward, the son of General John Winslow, was 
born June 7, 1714, entered Harvard College when eighteen years of 
age, and graduated in 1736. He married Hannah Dyer, widow of 
Charles Dyer, and daughter of Thomas Howland. His second wife 
was the widow Miller, and her children were Edward, Penelope, and 
Sally. 

Mr. Winslow resided in Plymouth, was Clerk of the Courts, Reg- 
ister of Probate, and Collector of the port. He was an accomplished 
scholar and a gentleman of literary taste. Being a Loyalist, he re- 
moved to Halifax with his family soon after the commencement of 
hostilities, where he died June 8, 1784, aged seventy years. The 
funeral ceremonies conferred the highest honor and respect to the 
memory of the deceased. In consequence of his absenteeism, his 
estate in his native town was confiscated. Still, every branch of his 
family was provided for by the British Government during the re- 
mainder of their lives. — Thatcher's Plymouth. 

Winslow, Isaac, son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Savage) Wins- 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 673 

low, was born September 24, 1743, graduated at Harvard College in 
1762, was married to Margaret, daughter of Rev. John Sparhawk, of 
Salem, who died January 18, 1772. He soon after married Mary, 
daughter of Benjamin Davis, Esq., of Boston, by whom he had sev- 
eral children. His descendants are in Boston, New York, and South 
Carolina. He died at Boston, January 23, 1793. 

Mr. Winslow was a particular friend of Sir William Pepperrell, and 
his first wife a cousin of the Baronet. Whilst Mr. Winslow was in 
the British Provinces, they corresponded, and Sir William's letters 
evince great charity for his political opponents notwithstanding the 
bitterness which marked their writings and conduct. It is also a re- 
markable feature in the letters of the Loyalists throughout the Revolu- 
tion that they exhibited an ardent love of country. 

WiNTHROP, Robert, Vice- Admiral in the British Navy, was the 
youngest son of John S. Winthrop, Esq., of New London, Connecticut, 
where he was born, September 7, 1764. On his father's side he was 
a lineal descendant of the early Governors of Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut, of the same name ; -^ his mother was Elizabeth, daughter of 
William Sherriffe, Esq., of London, whose first husband was Capt. 
John Hay, of the British Army. After the death of his father, young 
Winthrop, when fourteen years of age, left New London for New 
York, under a flag of truce, consigned to the care of a maternal uncle 
attached to the British force stationed there, by whom a midshipman's 
warrant was obtained for him in the Royal Navy. Of his subsequent 
career the following notice, taken from an English publication,^ fur- 
nishes an interesting though concise account. 

" May 10, 1832, died at Dover, of paralysis, aged seventy, Robert 
Winthrop, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Mr. Winthrop was a 
Midshipman on board the Formidable, bearing the flag of Sir George 
B. Rodney, in the memorable battle of April 12, 1782. He was a Lieu- 
tenant in 1790, and at the conquest of Martinique, in 1794, he com- 
manded a battalion of seamen, attached to Prince Edward's brigade. 
In the spring of 1796 he commanded the Albicore sloop at the capture 
of St. Lucia ; and, about the same time, he captured, near Barbadoes, 
VAthenienne, French corvette, of fourteen guns. He was afterwards 

1 The line of descent was as follows: — 1. John Winthrop, First Governor of Mas- 
sachusetts, died in 1649; 2. John Winthrop, Jr., Governor of Connecticut, d. 1676; 

3. Wait S. Winthrop, Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, d. 1717; 

4. John Winthrop, F. R. S., d. 1747; 5. John S. Winthrop, father of the Admiral, d. 
1776. 

2 Gentleman's Magazine. London, 1832. 

57 



674 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

appointed to the Undaunted frigate, and in that ship had the misfor- 
tune to be wrecked, on the Morant Keys, during a heavy gale of wind, 
August 27, 1796. His post commission bore date December 16, fol- 
lowing. 

" Captain Winthrop's next appointment was to the Circe, of twenty- 
eight guns, stationed in the North Sea ; and in June, 1798, he served 
in the expedition sent against Ostend. Major-General Coote, who 
commanded the army employed on that occasion, has recorded in his 
despatches ' the indefatigable exertions and good conduct ' of Captain 
Winthrop, who superintended the landing of the troops. In the sum- 
mer of 1799, Capt. "Winthrop was intrusted with the command of a 
small squadron employed on the coast of Holland, the boats of which, 
in the night of the 27th of June, very gallantly cut out twelve sail of 
merchantmen from the Wadde, without having a man hurt, notwith- 
standing they were much annoyed by the fire from the enemy's bat- 
teries and gun-boats. On the 10th of July, the boats also cut out 
three more valuable vessels, and burnt another laden with stores. 

" In the following month the Circe assisted at the capture of the 
Helder ; on which occasion all the Dutch ships lying in the Nieuwe 
Diep, together with the naval magazine at the Nieuwe Werk, contain- 
ing a large quantity of stores, were taken possession of by Captain 
Winthrop. This event led to the surrender of the enemy's fleet in 
the Texel. In October of the same year, Capt. Winthrop's boats, 
under his own immediate direction, carried off from the port of Delf- 
zel a sloop-of-war and schooner ; the Lynx of twelve guns, and the 
Perseus of eight guns. 

" In the autumn of 1800, in the expedition against Ferrol, Captain 
Winthrop commanded the Stag frigate, but which was unfortunately 
stranded in Vigo Bay, on the 6th of September, and was obliged to be 
destroyed by fire, after the stores had been removed. 

" On the renewal of war, after the peace of Amiens, Captain Win- 
throp obtained the command of the Ardent, a sixty-four gun ship, 
stationed on the coast of Spain ; where he drove on shore La Bayon- 
naise, French frigate, of thirty-two guns and two hundred men, from 
the Havana bound to Ferrol. The crew, to prevent her being taken 
possession of, set her on fire, by which she was totally destroyed. The 
Ardent was subsequently employed off Boulogne, under the orders of 
Lord Keith. From that ship he was removed into the Syhille frigate, 
about July, 1805, and on the 3d of May, 1807, he captured VOiseau, 
French letter-of-marque. In the ensuing summer he was appointed 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 675 

to the command of the Dover district of Sea-Fencibles. He attained 
the rank of Rear- Admiral in 1809, and of Vice-Admiral in 1830. 

"Admiral Winthrop married, December 23, 1804, Miss Farbrace, 
of Dover, by whom he has left a family of two sons and four unmar- 
ried daughters." 

Winthrop, Thomas Lindall, LL. D., half-brother of the preced- 
ing, was born at New London, Connecticut, March 6, 1760. His 
mother was the only daughter of Francis Borland, Esq., a merchant 
of Boston, and granddaughter of Timothy Lindall, Esq., of Salem. 
Mr. Winthrop began his collegiate course at Yale College, but finished 
it at Harvard, where he graduated in 1780. Soon after taking his 
Bachelor's degree, he embarked at Nantucket for Amsterdam, in a 
merchant ship, which was captured on the passage and carried into an 
English port ; by permission of Admiral Duckworth, however, he was 
allowed to visit London on his parole, and afterwards travelled in the 
interior of the country, and on the Continent. At the close of the war 
be returned to the United States with Commodore Truxton, and en- 
gaged in commercial pursuits at Boston, where he continued to reside 
during the remainder of a long, useful, and not unhonored life. 

In 1786 Mr. Winthrop was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir 
John Temple, and granddaughter of Governor Bowdoin. The only 
son of the latter having no issue to perpetuate the family name, 
Mr. Winthrop's second son, the late James Bowdoin, of Boston, a gen- 
tleman of great personal worth and literary distinction, assumed it by 
the desire of his uncle, taking with the name a large estate.^ Another 
son of Mr. Winthrop, Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, has represented the 
city of Boston in Congress with distinguished reputation. He was 
Speaker of House. 

In politics Mr. Winthrop belonged to the old Republican party ; he 
was several times elected to the Massachusetts Senate, and in 1826 
was chosen Lieut.-Governor of the State, by the votes of both political 
parties, which office he continued to fill, by successive annual elections, 
until his retirement in 1832. He was an active and liberal patron of 
literary and benevolent institutions, over several of which he presided 
during the latter part of his life. He was for a long period an officer 
of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. At the time of his 
decease he was President of the American Antiquarian Society, the 

1 Mr. Bowdoin contributed many valuable papers to the Collections of the Mas- 
sachusetts Historical Society, being deeply conversant with the early history of New 
England. 



676 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Massachusetts Historical Society, and the State Agricultural Society ; 
and the libraries of the- two former institutions were greatly indebted 
to his liberality for many important additions to their historical treas- 
ures. GoveiniorWinthrop was also a member of various other learned 
and economical institutions both in this country and Europe, with some 
of which he maintained a constant correspondence. Indeed the greater 
part of his time, for several years before his death, was devoted to 
these objects, and to the promotion of the religious and benevolent en- 
terprises of the day. lie died universally beloved for his many vir- 
tues, and respected for his public services, at his residence in Boston, 
on the 22d of February, 1841, having nearly completed the eighty- 
first year of his age. 

Governor Winthrop was in his person tall and commanding, and 
remarkable for the elegance and suavity of his manners. Enjoying an 
ample fortune, he lived in a style of generous hospitality, and for 
many years was in the habit of receiving at his table most strangers 
of consideration who visited the New England metropolis. The mem- 
bers of the State Legislature, and of the numerous associations with 
whicli he was connected, have reason to remember the liberal character 
of his hospitable attentions ; and the latter lost in him a munificent 
patron and benefactor. In his religious opinions he was firm, but 
catholic and tolerant ; attached to the communion of the Episcopal 
Church, he died as he had lived, a humble and sincere Christian. 

WoRTHiNGTON, JoHN, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, 
November 24, 1719, and graduated at Yale College in 1740, where he 
remained for three year as tutor. He read law with Gen. Lyman, of 
Suffolk, Connecticut, and commenced practice in his native town in 
1744. He attained great influence and had an extensive practice in 
his profession. He was also a Colonel of militia and a member of 
the Legislature in 1774. He opposed the measures of the friends 
of liberty. He was appointed a Councillor by Mandamus, but declined 
serving. He was public prosecutor for Hampshire County, and was 
held in as high esteem by the Colonial authorities, as by his fellow- 
citizens. The following copy of a letter, now in possession of Josiah 
Hooker, Esq., of Springfield, in the handwriting of Gov. Hutchinson, 
shows how highly he was esteemed by the latter. The letter was 
written while Sir Francis Bernard was Governor, — in fact during 
the year in which he was recalled, and the Administration left in 
the hands of Hutchinson. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 677 

Boston, Fe5. 28, 1769. 
Dear Sir : — 

In conversation with the Governor, a few days ago, about the At- 
torney-General's place, which will be vacant in a short time, it was 
agreed that I should write and propose to you to accept of it, provided 
a salary of not less than £200 sterling a year should be annexed 
to it. I could not give any great encouragement to the Governor, 
because it is necessary an Attorney-General should live at or near 
Boston, and I know your attachment to that foggy, unhealthy air 
from Connecticut Eiver, which, if you do not remove, will shorten your 
days ; but as it was possible, I thought it best to make the proposal. 
If you can bring yourself to be willing, the Governor will immediately 
represent to Lord Plillsborough, the advantage the public will receive 
from it, and try to obtain 300 instead of 200 a year. I will add my 
little interest, though I doubt not his recommendation would be suf- 
ficient. If the attempt for a salary should fail, it cannot be expected 
you should take the place, though I fancy there is more in it than is 
generally known, or Sewall would not be so fond of it. It Avill not be 
discovered by me, and I should think not by the Governor, that such 
a proposal had been made to you. I shall be glad to secure an answer 
as soon as you have deliberated. 

I am yours sincerely, 

Tho. Hutchinson. 

To the Hon. John Worthington, 

Springfield, Mass. 

This plan was never consummated ; but the consideration which Col. 
Worthington received from the Government was doubtless the cause 
of a leaning towards Toryism, which made him unpopular with the 
patriotic masses. He endeavored to act the neutral, but his sympathies 
had been made too apparent by his action in the Legislature. It is a 
forcible commentary on the spirit of the times that this man, so long 
honored and revered, suffered the humiliation of being forced inside a 
ring of Whigs in the open air, in his own tOAvn, and there made to 
kneel and ask forgiveness for his Toryism. From the time of the in- 
terruption of the courts in 1774, Col. Worthington retired from prac- 
tice. He lived to the good old age of eighty-one, dying in 1800. 

The illustrious Fisher Ames, and Col. Thomas Dwight, M. C, 
married his daughters. 



678 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 



Col. Worthington's law library is now in the possession of Josiah 
Hooker, Esq., who inherited it from his father. Judge Hooker, a 
student and nephew of Worthington. 

It was one of the best law libraries of its times. — History of 
Western Massachusetts, Vol. II. p. 135. 



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